Teaching methods and apparatus for children

• US 20050282120A1
• Filed: 06/18/2004
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: T and A, LLC
• Original Assignee: T and A, LLC
• Inventors: Whittaker, Ann
• Application Number:
  US10/871,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20050282120A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/155
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 17/00 Teaching reading teaching lip-reading G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 25/08 of scenic effects, e.g. trees, rocks, water surfaces for stage purposes A63J1/00

Abstract

A teaching method and apparatus are provided for using a workshop and a classroom to assist in teaching at least one child about a topic. The method comprises reading a writing about the topic with or to the child in the classroom, creating an item in the workshop relating to the topic, and discussing the created item with the child. The classroom and workshop may be located in a simulated village, such as a fairy tale type village. A fantasy-type structure in the simulated village, such as a simulated tree, has an entry to allow access for a child into an area inside the structure.

Claims

1. A method of using a workshop and a classroom, both located in a learning center, to assist in teaching at least one child about a topic, comprising:

(a) reading a writing about the topic with or to the child in the classroom;

(b) creating an item in the workshop that was mentioned in the story; and

(c) discussing the created item with the children.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of creating the item includes teaching several children and having one of the children participate in creating the item.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising having at least one of the children consume or use the created item.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the writing is a story.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of creating the item includes teaching several children and having at least one of the children assume the role of a character in the story.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the one child dresses in costume for the character.

7. The method of claim 4, further including acting out the story in the workshop.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein at least one of the children acts out the story by using the item.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of using the item follows the plot of the story.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the child is a preschool child.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the classroom and the workshop are located separate from each other.

21. The teaching aid of claim 11, wherein the child is a preschool child.

12. A teaching aid for assisting at least one child to understand a topic studied by the child in a classroom located in an education center, comprising:

a. a workshop area in the education center, separate from the classroom;

b. a device in the workshop area for creating an item relating to the topic.

13. The teaching aid of claim 12, wherein the topic studied in the classroom is a story.

14. The teaching aid of claim 13, further comprising means in the workshop for acting out the story that is studied in the classroom.

15. The teaching aid of claim 14, wherein the means for acting out the story comprises a costume to be worn by the child for assuming the role of a character in the story.

16. The teaching aid of claim 12, wherein the workshop is a bakery or kitchen and the device for creating an item is a baking device in the bakery or kitchen.

17. The teaching aid of claim 12, wherein the workshop is a sewing room and the device for creating an item is a sewing device in the sewing room.

18. The teaching aid of claim 12, wherein the workshop is a woodwork shop and the device for creating an item is a carpentry device in the woodwork shop.

19. The teaching aid of claim 12, wherein the workshop is a photography studio and the device for creating an item is a photographic device in the photography studio.

20. The teaching aid of claim 12, wherein the workshop is a simulated bank and the device for creating an item is banking device in the simulated bank.

22. A teaching method for use in motivating children to learn, comprising:

(a) providing a simulated village having a plurality of shops therein;

(b) providing at least one classroom in the simulated village;

(c) providing at least one workshop in one of the plurality of shops;

(d) studying a topic in the classroom; and

(e) providing an activity for the children in the workshop related to a topic studied in the classroom.

23. The teaching method of claim 22, wherein providing the simulated village comprises providing a simulated village that has the appearance of a fairy tale type village.

24. The teaching method of claim 22, wherein studying the topic includes reading a story with the children in the classroom.

25. The teaching method of claim 24, further comprising providing apparatus in the workshop for conducting activities for the children relating to the story studied in the classroom.

26. The teaching method of claim 22, further comprising the topic is a fairy tale.

27. The teaching method of claim 26, further comprising providing apparatus in the workshop for conducting activities for the children relating the topic studied in the classroom.

28. A teaching aid for use in motivating children to learn, comprising:

(a) a simulated village having a plurality of shops and cottages;

(b) at least one classroom in the simulated village;

(c) at least one workshop in the simulated village; and

(d) means in the workshop for providing an activity for the children related to a topic studied in the classroom.

29. The teaching aid of claim 28, wherein the simulated village comprises a simulated village that has the appearance of a fairy tale type village.

30. The teaching aid of claim 28, wherein the means in the workshop is apparatus for conducting activities for the children relating to a skill studied in the classroom.

31. The teaching aid of claim 28, wherein the means in the workshop is apparatus for conducting activities for the children relating to a story studied in the classroom.

32. A teaching method for use in motivating children to learn in a classroom, comprising:

a. providing a fantasy-type structure near or in the classroom;

b. providing an area in the fantasy-type structure to accommodate at least one child; and

c. allowing access for the child through an entry way into the area.

33. The teaching method of claim 32 wherein providing the entry way comprises providing a door into the fantasy-type structure.

34. The teaching method of claim 32, wherein providing the area comprises providing a room in the fantasy-type structure.

35. The teaching method of claim 32 wherein providing the fantasy-type structure comprises providing a simulated tree.

36. The teaching method of claim 35, wherein providing the entry way comprises providing a door in the trunk of the simulated tree.

37. The teaching method of claim 34, wherein providing the area comprises providing a room inside of the simulated tree.

38. The teaching method of claim 32, wherein allowing access through the entry way to the area comprises providing a reward for excellence in learning.

39. The teaching method of claim 32, wherein allowing access through the entry way to the area comprises providing a reward for good behavior.

40. A teaching aid for use in motivating children to learn, comprising:

d. a fantasy-type structure;

e. an area in the fantasy-type structure to accommodate at least one child; and

f. an entry way to enable access for the child into the area.

41. The teaching aid of claim 40, wherein the entry way comprises a door into the fantasy-type structure.

42. The teaching aid of claim 40, wherein the area is a room in the fantasy-type structure.

43. The teaching aid of claim 40, wherein the fantasy-type structure is a simulated tree.

44. The teaching aid of claim 43, wherein the entry way is a door in the trunk of the simulated tree.

45. The teaching aid of claim 43, wherein the area is a room inside of the simulated tree.