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The addition to my schedule that is most meaningful to me is Morning Work. In the past this time was used to do a review worksheet, but now it is a time for creativity and exploration. I feel starting the day with a variety of activities relating to different kinds of play will start the day off right for my students. It’ll give them a chance to leave behind any stress they had at home or worries about the day and just enjoy interacting with peers and using their imaginations. It’ll give them some time to learn and play before diving into the rest of our busy school day.

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An application I have chosen to explore more and that would fit in my classroom is Digital Storytelling. This is an application that my students would enjoy thoroughly. Digital Storytelling is telling a story through an application using text, voice, images, videos, or whatever creative thing you can think of! This could be incorporated into my daily ELA centers. Many of my students struggle to find motivation to tell a story through writing. With Digital Storytelling, it could bring a whole new exciting light to writing to get my students engaged. This can be done through a variety of apps on a Chromebook, Tablet or iPad, or desktop computer based on my research. Two great apps I found are Story Dice and Pictello! They are fun and easy to use.

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My classroom environment is very open and inviting for all students.
It encourages play and creativity.
It allows for all diverse backgrounds to feel accepted and included through toys for every child.
This classroom is a K-3 Special Education classroom. 

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There are designated spaces throughout the room including...

A reading nook

Play spaces for a variety of kinds of play: a tent, an art area, a shelf full of games and puzzles, and a large rug for circle time, large group activities, and class read alouds.

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The materials in the classroom include legos, tinkertoys, magnetix, as well as paints, crayons and markers, scissors, paper, feathers, googly eyes and so much more for a variety of types of constructive play.

For socio-dramatic play there are costumes, a tent, and many manipulatives to play pretend with stuffed animals, or act out different careers.

For logical play there is a shelf full of puzzles and games at all different difficulty levels.

Outside, we have a large field and a playground. We have balls and other outdoor toys for physical play during recess.

Lastly, we have board and card games galore such as Candy Land, Uno, Chomp, Connect Four and so much more for students to have Games with Rules.

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Transitions: Play can be a part of our transitions in a variety of ways.

One way would be music throughout the day during any transition times. Singing is a beautiful way to play. The music we play does not need to be traditional children’s songs, but rather can be music of student choice.

For transitions that require clean up, this could be made into a game that is ever changing. Students could be asked to beat their clean up time from the day prior or have a challenge like let’s see who can find every yellow block to be picked up.

Another way transitions could be made fun is through choosing a classroom leader each week to help the transition run smoothly. Depending on the transition, the classroom leader can make sure everyone is lined up, everything is clean, or that everyone is helping! This would allow students to play by taking on a teacher role.

Daily Rituals:

One daily ritual in the schedule is class jobs. While these are helpful for teachers I feel they are also a form of play. Students get to take on a role. Whether the job is to hand out water after recess or be a line leader these jobs put students in a position of power and allows them to gain confidence in a way they may not get to anywhere else.

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I wanted to include each area of play and where it is specifically incorporated into the classroom schedule.

Socio-Dramatic Play:

Free Time: Allows for Socio-Dramatic Play of choice

Morning Work: As a choice on some days

Writing Center of ELA: When writing students can choose to tell their story or be whatever they want to be! It’s a beautiful thing!

Recess: Many students chose to play this way during recess with friends

Social Thinking: When doing a social thinking activity you may need to act out different emotions or situations

Logical Play:

Morning Work: As a choice on some days

Math: Math games and puzzles require logic

Free Time: Can choose to do puzzles or logic games as a choice

Recess: Students may get creative and create their own logic game!

Science: When doing experiments logic may be needed.

Constructive Play:

Morning Work: As a choice on some days

Math: Math with manipulatives can be constructive

Free Time: Can choose to build and create

Recess: Can choose to build and create

Science: Experiments may require constructive play

Physical Play:

Recess

PE

Language Play: Communicating with the teacher or your peers or even watching other conversations unfold can happen in so many settings

Morning Work

Free Time

ELA

Math

Recess

Social Studies

Social Thinking