Divide into groups. Assign groups to take either position 1 or position 2:

1. Position 1: Large-group activities are an essential part of a preschool program, and all children should be required to participate in large-group activities.
   
   
2. Position 2: Large-group activities are not necessary for young children. Whenever possible, small-group activities should be used rather than large-group activities.

Give the groups 30 minutes to formulate at least three major points in support of their position. Draw numbers to see which position goes first. Have a group for each position take a turn. If more than one group represents the same position, this group may rebut the opposite group’s position.


Activity 2: Planning Activity

Review the information in the table on modifications and adaptations in Chapter 7.

Divide the class into groups of three or four and assign three modifications/adaptations to each group. Have each group generate two examples of how each modification or adaptation might be used in a preschool classroom. Put flipchart paper around the room with each modification listed on a separate piece of paper. As the students generate their examples, they should write them on the relevant piece of paper.

Allow all students to walk around and look at what others wrote.

Type up the ideas and hand them out during the next class session.


Activity 3: Designing Learning Centers

Review the following scenario:

The children in Mr. Jung’s classroom decide to create a new dramatic play area. As part of another unit, the class had taken a vote on their favorite food. The winner was pizza. One of the children suggests that they turn the dramatic play area into a pizza parlor.

Divide the class into small groups and have them describe 1) how they would decide what should be in the new dramatic play area, 2) how they will connect the dramatic play area to other things they are doing in the classroom, 3) how they would include a field trip, and 4) possible materials and activities that would be in the dramatic play area.

Have the students share their ideas with the rest of the class.