Choice Time: How to Deepen Learning Through Inquiry and Play, PreK-2

by Kathy Collins

"In her inspirational, well-researched book, Renee describes the kinds of learning opportunities that all parents want for their own children. Her accessible writing style makes it easy to envision the environment, teaching, and community she describes with such clarity you'll want to get started on her ideas tomorrow." -Jennifer Serravallo "How refreshing it is in a test-driven climate to read a book stressing the nurturing of imagination and empathy that comes from inquiry, play and children making choices." -Deborah Meier "The bottom line is when children are at play, they're not just playing--they're learning machines, and play is the engine that drives them." -Renee Dinnerstein How do you define play and choice time in early childhood classrooms? According to Renee Dinnerstein,"During choice time, children choose to play in a variety of centers that have been carefully designed and equipped to scaffold children's natural instinct for play." In Choice Time , Renee gives you everything you need to set up choice-time centers that promote inquiry-based, guided play in your classroom. Renee summarizes the research, describing the different kinds of play and why they are important. Then she dives into the nitty gritty, Renee reveals what can happen when you embrace a culture of inquiry, providing opportunities for children to be explorative and creative in their thinking. She believes that, "A child's engagement is the most powerful asset we have for teaching and learning." Give your students choice time, and watch them engage in joyful, important, playful, age-appropriate work that will empower them to become lifelong learners.

Genres: Teaching, Professional Development

176 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2016

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for teachers of pre-kindergarten kindergarten, first grade and second grade. The author provides details of how to set up centers and introduce materials so that students are engaged and independent.

[jennyreadit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and implement. Color photos support ideas to implement within stations. A must for primary teachers that want more authentic, meaningful experiences for their students.

[Melissa Zavatchan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book outlines 6 various work time, or set up play areas, and how to implement them within the Preschool through 2nd grade classroom. The author discusses what the centers are for and how to incorporate various skills such as reading and writing into each center. This is a valuable resource for both new and experienced teachers working within the lower grade levels. Although seen as play, students develop and grow skills in multiple areas that include math, fine motor, speaking, reading, and writing. This book provides numerous ideas on everything from classroom set up to materials that can be useful within each center.

[Jami McGinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas for improving educational play in my kindergarten classroom. I also read Purposeful Play this summer and feel it matches what I'm currently doing. Choice Time includes ideas for how to make it more purposefully educational through the materials I provide. I'm sure my students will love it and feel like this book does really share some great ways for K-2nd grade teachers can provide quality inquiry time through choice centers!

[Cassandra Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dive into the world of play and how to use it to increase students’ engagement, learning, interests, joy, and wonder. The book highlights six major play centers and how they can work to advantage of teachers and students alike.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very realistic approach for teaching children to empower and own their educational experiences.

[Danielle Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the ideas and reasoning behind it all, but struggle to see how to fit "choice time" into an already over packed Kindergarten schedule.