Models Я Us

Certain things can only be explored through models. For example, if I were teaching my class about the digestive system I would not ask for a volunteer so that we can open them up and learn 'hands on'. Instead, I would have the students explore a medical model of the digestive system,  or manipulate a 3d virtual model on the computer. Lessons should always be paired with a visual model or presentation for the children. Often these models or presentations are the only way in which the students makes a connection to the material they are learning and what it actually means. If children are assigned to make a model, they often go out of their way to learn more about their specific project. In order to make a model, you have to know what part goes where, and often that leads students to ask the question, "why does it go there?" Thus making models is a great way to spur creative thinking and have students explore on their own.