Solution
P answered on
Jun 14 2024
Journal Entry 1: Play and the Language of Science
Observation
I would like to reflect about my experience during my visit to the local park, where I have notice how people (adults & kids) interacting with the nature such as small pond with fishes and ducks, trees, sunlight, grass, games etc. Many people are observing the fish’s movement in the pond, reflection of the sunlight. With observed curiosity, I have decided to explore and understand the natural setting in which I have noticed the interactions and reflected bout employing the scientific concepts. So, I have documented this experience in the form of sketches and notes which gives insights about the ecosystem.
Reflection
My observation is significant which demonstrates the importance of science application in the natural setting. The ponds represent as one of the living laboratories, by which the concepts of ecosystems, lifecycles and helps to understand the properties of the water. Observing about the pond has helped me to relate the theoretical concepts about the principles of biology and ecology in action. Some examples for the same are observation about the fish swim has prompted the questions about their habitat, food etc. whereas the surface tension of the water made me to think about the physical properties of the liquids.
Analysis
Engaging with the pond follows the sensorimotor stage of the Piaget’s cognitive development theory-which states that the environment exploration and the interaction with it are important for learning (Piaget, 1952). Besides, this theory the observation aligns with the Vygotsky’s social constructive theory-which focuses on the role of social interactions in cognitive development (Vygotsky, 1978). Besides, the discussions of park observation with others has helped me to gain more knowledge about the scientific concepts. This pond experience provides insights about the place importance in scientific inquiry. In addition, it will provide information about how natural setting can be used as valuable educational resource (Wilson, 2018).
Journal Entry 2: Play and the Language of Maths
Observation
During my visit to a local area garden, I saw a different pattern of the plant’s a
angement in the garden. The rows of vegetables were established in slick, mathematical examples, and I started to investigate these examples by estimating the distance among plants and noticing the balance and shapes framed. I made a chart to outwardly address the importance of the mathematical standards. For example, the plants are a
anged in regular pattern with consistent space between each of them- follows the mathematical standards such as principles of arithmetic and geometry.
Reflection
This observation of plant a
angement features the integration of numerical ideas in regular day-to-day activities. The nursery provided a rich setting to explore the concepts of calculation, measurements, and spatial awareness. By calculating the distances and noticing the examples, I have participated in numerical reasoning and critical thinking problems. This involved collaboration with the nursery showed the practical application of the numerical concepts in the real-world. Noticing the symmetric patterns and calculating the distance not only enhanced the mathematical concepts but also helped me to understand about their importance in the practical situations such as improvements in the plant growth, equal access to both sunlight and nutrients.
Analysis
This observation is upheld by Gardner's hypothesis of multiple insights, especially the numerical knowledge with proper logic- which includes the ability to examine issues coherently and perform mathematical tasks (Gardner, 1983). Sensible numerical knowledge remembers abilities for pattern recognition, conceptual reasoning, and critical thinking, which were all obvious in my observation of the nursery's design. Moreover, this lines up with the constructivist hypothesis of realizing, where information is built through active commitment with the environment (Piaget, 1952). As indicated by Piaget, students construct their grasping through direct connection with their environmental factors, and this nursery setting gave a genuine setting to better understand the concept of mathematical investigation.
In addition, this experience aligns with the thoughts of Clements and Sarama (2020), who worked on the significance of learning concepts in early math schooling. They stated that kids (and grown-ups) learn numerical ideas more really when they can explore these ideas in a setting that is significant and relevant to them. The nursery setting has provided a meaningful investigation, demonstrated that science isn't bound only to the classroom but it is integrated in our day to day routines.
Besides, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) provides the information about the teaching practices and their link to the real-world setting assisting...