Resources on Early Learning
Illinois Early Learning Standards
Video & Background
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A mixed-age group of children in a preschool class at a rural community college studied the cars in the automotive lab where mechanics are trained. Returning from one visit, the children became engaged in a discussion about various aspects of the cars they had seen. Discussions that occur during projects usually reveal children’s misunderstandings about the topic as well as those things they do understand. A discussion with 4-year-old Morgan revealed that she understood that the less inflated the tires, the slower a car is likely to go. It also revealed that she was unclear about the real function of a car’s battery.
Children’s discussions of their observations and ideas often reveal the skills they use to communicate with each other and with adults. As Morgan tried to explain the importance of filling the tires with air, she used gestures effectively to compensate for vocabulary she had not yet mastered.
Transcript
Morgan: The truck wasn’t working, because I think the batteries were getting flat tires.Teacher: Do you?
Morgan: (Nodding.) It wasn’t working, because whenever we seed it, it would go very slow (demonstrating by tightening fist in front of face)—that slow.
Morgan: There was flat tires coming.
Teacher: It was getting flat tires.
Morgan: (Demonstrating with her hands.) It was getting flatter and flatter and flatter, and flatter, until it didn’t work.
Teacher: So what did Dan do to fix it?
Morgan: He put a big…He fatted it up like that (demonstrating with her hands).
Teacher: He fatted it up. What do you think he put in there to fat it up?
Jace: Air.
Morgan: (Echoing Jace.) Air.
Benchmarks
| Benchmark | Benchmark Description | How Benchmark Was Met |
|---|---|---|
Science |
Describe the effects of forces in nature (e.g., wind, gravity, and magnetism) | Morgan explained that as tires become flat, the car goes slower. |
Language Arts |
Communicate information with others. | Morgan used a combination of gestures, words, and expressions to communicate her ideas. |
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