Services

Academic Publications
Promoting Creativity for Life Using Open-Ended Materials - Walter F. Drew and Baji Rankin

Block play and performance standards: Using unstructured materials to teach academic content - Walter F. Drew, et al.

Workshops
Learning to Play Again: A Constructivist Workshop for Adults - Walter F. Drew and Ingrid Chalufour

Read what participants have to say about our workshops:

The blocks were great to explore and work with. I wonder how many different ways the students will decide to use the blocks? I wonder what they will observe about the blocks? All areas of the curriculum will be brought into block play. We can measure, discuss shapes, counting, sorting and various other activities. Language comes into play when children discuss what they are going to make and what they plan to do with the blocks.

When I was working at block play, I felt free to use my imagination. I was totally engrossed. It didn't matter what anyone else was making. Children can experience positive feedback from learning. It is a non-threatening activity through active learning. Fingers busy.

I feel that my block experience has been a great inner thought coming out. I lost my stepdaughter at age 18 in a car accident one year ago yesterday. Heaven is truly on my mind. I was able to build my views of what heaven would be like. It has been a great experience to have that "played" out. This will help my students to be able to play out what their emotions are as well. The only question I had while making heaven was searching facts and information. I wanted more wishing I had my Bible to get more information. This will apply to my students to make sure I have a variety of books out by the block center.

I learned that one block led to another. I started with no particular plan and ended up with a structure that included height, steps, ramps and openings from one area to another. I enjoyed the experience and the imagining/experimenting the blocks provided. Math was the major curriculum area - spatial relationships, sizes, patterns, language development followed with description, imagining what building was used for,- I can better understand children's fascination with blocks. Good experience! Thank you.

- Teachers' comments following a Block Play workshop with Dr. Drew

For more information about our professional development workshops, contact us!