Tools Preschool visit: Ms. Gottschalk’s class gears up for play

Wisconsin PreK teacher Marcie Gottschalk’s Wittenberg-Birnamwood preschool children learn and grow as they explore the world through the lens of their Tools make-believe play themes. Ms. Gottschalk especially enjoys play planning and the individual interactions she has with students as they make plans that give their play purpose and direction. To ensure her children have the theme-based content knowledge they need to produce robust plans, she intentionally creates opportunities for them to build and develop background knowledge at the beginning of every play theme.

From brainstorming…

Ms. Gottschalk scaffolds children’s brainstorming at the beginning of a theme, when children come up with ideas for props to build for each center. See the results of their detailed brainstorming session below. Children imagine not just stethoscopes and needles in their doctor’s office, but reflex hammers as well! For the X-ray center, children include a lead apron (vest). These specific, theme-related props will support mature make-believe play as children engage in play scenarios in each center of their Medical play theme.

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…to learning beyond the classroom

Ms. Gottschalk’s class prepares for purposeful play by venturing outside the classroom as well. For this theme, they visit a local clinic and learn how to give their stuffed animals a check-up.

Even Mr. Incredible needs a doctor visit once in a while!

‍Meaningful experiences lead to purposeful play

Back in the classroom, one child uses what he’s learned at the medical clinic to give a baby an exam, starting with measuring her weight. Other children work together to give a patient a check-up as a medical assistant types exam information into the computer. Beyond the exam room, receptionists help patients sign in and schedule appointments. At the pharmacy, children use props to measure medicine for a patient.

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Whether brainstorming together in their classroom or out on an adventure, Ms. Gottschalk’s children build knowledge that shapes their playful learning as they explore each play theme.

Thank you to Ms. Gottschalk and her preschoolers for sharing the creative ways they boost their background knowledge to prepare for purposeful make-believe play.

To see more from Ms. Gottschalk’s class and other Tools PreK Teachers of the Month, check out recent posts.