Category: Module 4

During the semester, we will create a Play Materials Zine. Review the Power Point  (I narrate the Power Point in this video). Use Hypothesis to review the guidelines for the Play Materials Zine below by making at least 1 comment or asking at least 1 question about the project:

Play Materials Zine

Over the semester, we will create a Play Materials Zine to expand your understanding of infant development and analyze how various play materials support infant development. This project will allow you to apply your knowledge and insights, express your creativity, and to share them with a larger audience. In groups, you will write an article for the zine (internet-based magazine) about an-open ended play material for babies. Our target audience for the zine is infant teachers. The zine will consist of articles that explain how to use different open-ended play materials in infant classrooms, the benefits of the play materials, and how the play materials specifically supports infant development in all developmental domains.

We will create one zine for our learning community.  Each group will write one article about their play material.  Each week, you will create and add content to your group’s article based on assigned roles.  The weekly roles for the zine are:

Role #1 — Readings: Identifying quotes and concepts from the module’s readings that apply to the open-ended play material and ensuring the material is cited in APA format.

Role #2 — Sources: Identifying information from the videos or other sources from the module that apply to the open-ended play material and ensuring the material is cited in APA format.

Role #3 — Using the material: a) explaining how the open-ended play material specifically supports development in the module’s domain, and b) identifying the skills and process from the module’s domain that apply to the open-ended play material and c) how the skills and processes are supported

Role #4 — NYS Early Learning Standards: a) Identify the NYS Early Learning Standards for infants 0-18 months that are supported by the activity and b) reviewing the text posted by other group members to create a cohesive narrative, ensuring it is seamlessly integrated into the existing zine content

Group members will rotate roles and responsibilities each week, so that each person has the opportunity to contribute to the zine article in multiple ways. How will we rotate roles?  The first week of the zine project, I will assign each group member a color (red, yellow, blue, or purple).  The color will correspond to a role.  Each week the roles assigned to a color will change.  To facilitate communication and work, I created a Google Folder for your group. 

How will we create a zine?

1. Email me the names of 2 or 3 people you want to work with or if you need a group
2. Once your group is formed, I will invite you to:
   1. your group’s Google Folder
   2. our zine
3. As a group, pick which play material you want to focus on. You will focus on one play material for your zine article.
4. For modules 5-12, there is a worksheet in your group’s Google Folder that identifies each person’s tasks for the module by color. You can either
   1. add material to the worksheet
   2. create Google Doc with the information then convert it to a PDF and add that to the article
   3. add the information directly to your zine article pages
5. While creating the PDF pages or adding material directly to your zine article, think about the layout. What information should be written out in paragraphs? What information should be presented using bullet points? Where should the paragraphs be? Where should the headings and subheadings be? Where will pictures go? What information should go on the same page? What information can be separated onto other pages? The layout of the zine article should be organized, inviting, and clear.
6. During week 12 groups will write introductions, conclusions and add photos to the zine articles. The introduction should explain what the play material is and how it can be used in an infant classroom. The conclusion should summarize the content presented in the article.
7. During module 13 and 14, we will peer review and offer feedback to other group’s zine articles.  

Possible play materials to use for your zine article (pick one play material that will be your focus for the entire project):

• Scarves
• Duplos
• Rattles
• Bowls & spoons
• Mobile
• Balls
• Moon sand
• Homemade finger paint
• Water play
• Sensory pit (similar to a ball pit)
• Boxes
• Other materials with Jen’s approval

Groups of 3-4 will work on this project. Email me the names of the colleagues from ECE 209 you want to work with or if you need a group by 11:59 PM on 9/20.