Instructional Formats and Approaches to Learning

The Circle Activity Collection: Infant and Toddler translates research into practice through a variety of hands-on, play-based learning activities that teachers can implement in their classrooms in whole groups, small groups, and with individual children. Access the collection for free with your CLI Engage account.

The Circle Activity Collection: Pre-K to Grade 2 translates research into practice through a variety of hands-on activities that school-age teachers can implement in their classrooms. Filter these play-based activities by learning area or setting (e.g., small group). Access the collection for free with your CLI Engage account.

Circle Progress Monitoring System (CPM) is a free preschool assessment system that was validated in multiple research studies. Programs can choose which measures to use, and results are available in family-friendly reports. Texas Rising Star programs are eligible to access CPM at no cost through the TSR Online program. Follow the instructions for TSR Online access when creating your CLI Engage account to start accessing this assessment.

Using Willaby Wallaby Woo, as a planned rhyming transition, the teachers in this video are moving the children from whole group to small groups without much wait time. The decreased wait time also decreases the opportunity for disruptions while the children transition from one space in the room to another.

After a lesson on emotions, this teacher transitions children from small group to centers using a song from the lesson. The transition allows the children to move quickly from their current space to another with limited disruptions and with very little wait time.

In this video, we see teachers use routine and transition times as opportunities to learn. They count, model and encourage language, and practice early literacy skills.

This sample infant classroom daily schedule shows set time frames of specific activities to be done throughout the day. The schedule is balanced with a mixture of opportunities for both teacher-initiated activities and times where infants can initiate what they would like to do within those set times.

This video depicts practitioners of all age groups engaging in intentional instructional activities in different settings throughout the day. The instructional activities shown depict a balance between teacher-directed instruction, where the teacher leads and directs the play, and child-initiated activities, where the child leads the direction of a conversation, activity, or play.

In this planned transition game, the teacher uses a die to move the children from whole group to center time. Implementing a planned transition helps the teacher avoid long waits which could lead to classroom disruptions.

The teachers in this video make the most of transition times by singing songs, counting, playing games, and preparing snacks.

This sample preschool classroom daily schedule shows set time frames of specific activities to be done throughout the day. The schedule is balanced with a mixture of opportunities for both teacher-initiated activities and times where preschool children can initiate what they would like to do or talk about within those set times.

During a transition activity, a teacher asks children to name the first letter in their name and to make the sound for the letter. This activity allows the teacher to transition the children from circle time to small groups without many disruptions or long waits.

This letter wall activity shows a teacher using a planned transition to move children from group time to center time. Adding planned transitions helps reduce confusion as children change learning spaces throughout the day.

In this Texas Rising Star video, there are multiple video segments that show teachers teaching a new concept. The teachers show how they are able to carry the same concept over into many different learning environments throughout the day.

This video from Head Start shows how schedules and routines help to promote children’s learning. A daily schedule that allows children to make choices, learn in varied group sizes and environments, and receive individualized support results in higher engagement. This video is a part of a larger professional development suite.

This sample school age daily schedule shows set time frames of specific activities to be done when participating in a before school and after school program. The schedule is balanced with a mixture of opportunities for both teacher-initiated activities and times where school age children can initiate what they would like to do or talk about within those set times.

This recording provides information on how teachers can offer a balance of teacher-initiated instructional opportunities while still allowing time for child-directed activities throughout the day. This video is a part of a larger professional development series.

The teaching and learning cycle provides a structure to achieve reflective teaching and effective learning. When teachers collect ongoing assessment data, they can evaluate children’s needs and then use the information to guide instruction. Taking the time to analyze child assessment results and data, and then reflecting on instructional practices, can lead to informed decisions on when to add new activities, how to modify lessons, and how to create targeted small groups. (18 minutes)

This sample toddler classroom daily schedule shows set time frames of specific activities to be done throughout the day. The schedule is balanced with a mixture of opportunities for both teacher-initiated activities and times where toddlers can initiate what they would like to do or talk about within those set times.

Teachers can use this collection of letter knowledge transitions to encourage learning while children move from one activity to another. Adding incidental learning to routine and transition times is an efficient and enjoyable way to help children build school-readiness skills.

Formative assessment is an ongoing process that teachers use to gather information about children’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. This information enables educators to tailor instruction and better support children’s learning and development. (6 minutes)