Learning Resources® Early Learning Matters (ELM) Products for the Classroom

Learning Resources® Early Learning Matters (ELM) products are versatile tools in the classroom, designed to foster a variety of educational skills through hands-on experiences. Products like the “Switcheroo Coding Crew” enable students to engage in screen-free coding adventures, transforming a rescue robot into different vehicles while solving obstacle-driven challenges. Meanwhile, “Botley® 2.0 the Coding Robot Activity Set” offers early coding exposure with screen-free play, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving through interactive sequences and a built-in sensor that lights up Botley in the dark. The “Space Rover Activity Set” encourages students to solve coding challenges by navigating a lunar rover through customizable mazes. These products typically focus on developing foundational STEM skills such as sequencing, critical thinking, and computational logic while offering compact, interactive, and portable learning kits suitable for individual or collaborative classroom settings.

When considering Learning Resources® Early Learning Matters (ELM) products for school use, teachers should evaluate the educational objectives they aim to achieve with these tools. For example, “Botley® 2.0 the Coding Robot Classroom Bundle” includes a comprehensive 239-piece set that supports coding sequences of up to 150 steps, which is ideal for extensive classroom coding lessons. Compatibility with other existing classroom tools, such as the need for batteries and whether they are included, should also be considered. Assessing the age-appropriateness of the product is crucial; options like “Coding Critters™ MagiCoders: Blazer” provide engaging early STEM coding activities with a magical twist, suitable for preschoolers. Durability, ease of use, and the ability to facilitate both guided and open-ended play are key factors influencing a product’s effectiveness and longevity in a dynamic classroom environment.

Students can use Learning Resources® Early Learning Matters (ELM) products for a wide array of educational activities that enhance their coding and problem-solving skills. For instance, the “Botley® 2.0 the Coding Robot” allows students to program it to move in six directions, put on light shows, and solve obstacle courses, which helps them understand basic coding principles and develop sequencing abilities. Products like “Coding Critters™ Go-Pets: Dart the Chameleon” integrate storytelling with coding, where students can follow along with a coding activity book and arrange tiles to guide Dart on jungle adventures, enhancing computational thinking and creativity. Additionally, the “Classroom Measurement Set – 19 Pieces” can be used to practice mathematical concepts such as customary capacities and metric conversions, enabling students to grasp measurement in a hands-on, active learning format. Through these interactive tools, students can engage in exploratory play, enhance critical thinking, and foster a deeper understanding of STEM concepts in an enjoyable and meaningful way.