Ranger visits Giant Step

phrggiant step — Ranger Tiffany from Dinosaur National Monument, in Jensen, Utah, visited with Giant Step preschoolers discussing dinosaurs. Ranger Tiffany said the new quarry building is slated to open sometime in the fall of this year.

RANGELY I Giant Step Preschool and Child Care Center hosted Ranger Tiffany from Dinosaur National Monument on Thursday, March 3.

Students had been talking about and reading books about dinosaurs for two weeks. To make their learning more meaningful, Kari Way called the monument on the off-chance someone would come. To her surprise, they scheduled a day and time right away. Ranger Tiffany arrived with dinosaur replicas, a book, pamphlets and fossils. Several of the children were ready to help her.

When Ranger Tiffany took off her hat, one little girl said, “Keep it on. I like it.”

The children gathered around her and she pulled out several dinosaur replicas. The apatasaurus, allosaurus, brachiosaurus and stegosaurus have been discovered as fossils in or near the park. The kids held a stegosaurus spike (which was very heavy). We learned that dinosaurs survived for 165 million years and were reminded that people did not live with the dinosaurs.

The brachiosaurus could possibly rear up on his tail and back legs and take down the allosaurus. Ranger Tiffany reminded the kids that no one knows what color the dinosaurs were or if they made any noise. Ranger Tiffany provided lots of pamphlets about the park and dinosaurs and “Ranger hats” for the kids.

Giant Step thanks Dinosaur National Monument for making learning about dinosaurs meaningful at the preschool. Ranger Tiffany said they would love to come to other schools in the area and are planning another junior ranger day this spring. She also said the new quarry building in Jensen, Utah, is slated to open in the fall.

Giant Step Preschool utilizes creative curriculum also known as teaching strategies and we are members of Colorado Results Matter. Every child, 2-5, receives a preschool learning opportunity. Our children are assessed during their preschool time, which is extended throughout the day for those children who are receiving full day care. Children are observed in their everyday interactions to give us information about how and what they are learning. The environment is set up so that children have an opportunity to fully engage in learning opportunities that are meaningful.

The Colorado Department of Education defines school readiness as “whether a child is ready to engage in and benefit from learning experiences, as well as the ability of a school to meet the needs of all students. School readiness is enhanced when schools, families and community service providers work collaboratively to ensure that every child is ready for higher levels of learning.” For more information about preschool and Colorado Results Matter online visit: http://www.cde.state.co. us/resultsmatter/index.htm.

During “play” time, which is optimally at least an hour, the children engage in learning centers that include dramatic play, puzzles and games, blocks, creative art and writing, library and gross motor skills play (tricycles, balance beam and playing ball—all indoors). One example of a learning opportunity: Several boys moved the hollow blocks to the tricycle area. They put three blocks down on the floor and placed all three tricycle wheels in the blocks so that they could “fix” the trike from beneath. They played cooperatively and connected experiences to hand each other (imaginary) tools. This type of play meets several learning objectives from teaching strategies.

If you have any questions about the curriculum or how children learn, please stop in to Giant Step for answers to any of your questions and a tour.

Special to the Herald TimesRANGELY I Giant Step Preschool and Child Care Center hosted Ranger Tiffany from Dinosaur National Monument on Thursday, March 3.Students had been talking about and reading books about dinosaurs for two weeks. To make their learning more meaningful, Kari Way called the monument on the off-chance someone would come. To her surprise, they scheduled a day and time right away. Ranger Tiffany arrived with dinosaur replicas, a book, pamphlets and fossils. Several of the children were ready to help her.When Ranger Tiffany took off her hat, one little girl said, “Keep it on. I like it.” The children gathered around her and she pulled out several dinosaur replicas. The apatasaurus, allosaurus, brachiosaurus and stegosaurus have been discovered as fossils in or near the park. The kids held a stegosaurus spike (which was very heavy). We learned that dinosaurs survived for 165 million years and were reminded that people did not live with the dinosaurs.The brachiosaurus could possibly rear up on his tail and back legs and take down the allosaurus. Ranger Tiffany reminded the kids that no one knows what color the dinosaurs were or if they made any noise. Ranger Tiffany provided lots of pamphlets about the park and dinosaurs and “Ranger hats” for the kids. Giant Step thanks Dinosaur National Monument for making learning about dinosaurs meaningful at the preschool. Ranger Tiffany said they would love to come to other schools in the area and are planning another junior ranger day this spring. She also said the new quarry building in Jensen, Utah, is slated to open in the fall. Giant Step Preschool utilizes creative curriculum also known as teaching strategies and we are members of Colorado Results Matter. Every child, 2-5, receives a preschool learning opportunity. Our children are assessed during their preschool time, which is extended throughout the day for those children who are receiving full day care. Children are observed in their everyday interactions to give us information about how and what they are learning. The environment is set up so that children have an opportunity to fully engage in learning opportunities that are meaningful.The Colorado Department of Education defines school readiness as “whether a child is ready to engage in and benefit from learning experiences, as well as the ability of a school to meet the needs of all students. School readiness is enhanced when schools, families and community service providers work collaboratively to ensure that every child is ready for higher levels of learning.” For more information about preschool and Colorado Results Matter online visit: http://www.cde.state.co. us/resultsmatter/index.htm. During “play” time, which is optimally at least an hour, the children engage in learning centers that include dramatic play, puzzles and games, blocks, creative art and writing, library and gross motor skills play (tricycles, balance beam and playing ball—all indoors). One example of a learning opportunity: Several boys moved the hollow blocks to the tricycle area. They put three blocks down on the floor and placed all three tricycle wheels in the blocks so that they could “fix” the trike from beneath. They played cooperatively and connected experiences to hand each other (imaginary) tools. This type of play meets several learning objectives from teaching strategies. If you have any questions about the curriculum or how children learn, please stop in to Giant Step for answers to any of your questions and a tour.

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