Effects of Learning Cycle Model in Preschool Kids Learning of the Growth of Plant

Abstract

There has been a movement nationally over decades to integrate technology and modern learning models into our school curriculums. One of the modern teaching models is Learning Cycle, a totally different way of teaching science which comes from students’ experiences, rather than through other learning methods relying on the textbook, which is generally being used in Turkey. Every student should acquire the basic knowledge, skills, behaviors, and habits and be prepared for the next education level parallel to his/her interests and skills. Thus starting preschool to high school students should be taught with modern teaching models because, in the information and technology age, children should be raised curious, thinker, researcher and problem solver. The purpose of study is to examine how effective learning cycle model in pre-school students learning on growth of plant and their opinions about the lesson. In this study, convenience sampling was used. 25 preschool school students aging 6 years selected from rural area in Izmir. Single-grouped experimental designed has been used in the study. Data have been collected by using qualitative research method and data collection process took four weeks. Gathered data have been turned to points (mark, score) and evaluated by frequency analysis. According to the results, students have reached the science concept, germination. Most of the students had fun and learned, and also felt like scientist.