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PLAY IS FUNdamental
Play is beneficial:
Affects motor, social, emotional and cognitive development
Helps childs body and mind come together to accomplish a task
Strengthens childrens ability to adapt to changing environments

Integrating learning Learn to face their own problems

Find solutions
Learning by themselves right and wrong

Benefits Group Cooperation (Emotional skills)

Encourages abstract thinking
Shows teacher which activities children will want to engage in
Shows teacher what information students are retaining on their own

LEARNING CENTERObjectives
KNex-part of Science time
3rd grade
Learning Outcomes Understanding of design and function- whats strong whats not
Challenges students in hands on activity to problem solve, discover, and use critical

thinking
Children learn concept of team work and cooperation skills

LEARNING CENTER- Design

Furnishings
Cabinet boxes- storage & building 1 cabinet: 2 students

Equipment/materials/supplies/accessories
Extra various KNex pieces
Storage bins (1 bin for each child)
Pencils, colored pencils, and computer paper- drawing bridges
Labels- student cabinet boxes and kits

Activities/toys
KNex Intro to Structures: Bridges Kits (storage bin and snap on lid) 1 kit: 2 students

Books
Building instruction manual
Construction books/ blue prints with different bridge types such as arch, suspension, truss etc.
Books/ magazines of famous bridges ex. Golden Gate, Ben Franklin, Brooklyn, London Bridge etc.

LEARNING CENTEROrganization
The center will be along the back wall
Each group of two or three students is assigned a cabinet with a kit and extra

KNex pieces in a storage bin inside the cabinet.

Cabinets will be labeled with the students names on the outside.

Bridges will be assembled on top of the cabinets.

DEVELOPMENTAL BENEFITS
Social
Engaging in cooperative play
Team building experiences

Emotional
Understanding others opinions and feelings
Fair play

Cognitive
Processing the instruction manual
Understanding the shapes and structures

Physical
Working fine motor skills
Refining motor control

Literacy
Reading about different bridge types and famous bridges

Creative
Having left over materials to create a bridge or other structure of choice
Choosing color schemes of bridges

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http://www.knex.com/shop/16769/to-structures-bridges/