Tape recorders

Example activity

What will the children do?

The children will load the tape into the recorder, press play to hear the story and press eject to retrieve the tape. The children will be supported in the retelling of a narrative in the correct sequence, drawing on the language patterns of the story.

Areas of learning

• Communication, language and literacy
• Physical development
• Knowledge and understanding of the world

What do we want the children to learn?

• To enjoy an increasing range of books
• To be able to follow a narrative in the correct sequence, paying attention to the main elements of the story such as the characters and events
• To find out about a use of an everyday technology, a tape recorder and story tape
• To learn how to insert a tape independently and to press the play button
• To be able to use a range of small equipment
• To handle tools with increasing control

Resources

• Tape recorder, book and story tape

You will be able to obtain the resources used from the companies listed here.

Information and communications technology (ICT) levels of differentiation

• Able to press buttons on the tape recorder
• Is able to talk about the cassette player, headphones and tape
• Selects a tape
• Able to listen to instructions on the tape recorder
• Recognition of play and stop button on the tape recorder
• Recognition of eject button on the tape recorder
• Able to use the above buttons independently
• Able to use rewind without help
• Operates the cassette player independently

Children’s individual targets, that this activity could meet

• To be able to listen attentively
• To engage in a story and be able to discuss characters and events
• To gain confidence and independence in managing equipment safely and carefully

Adult input (including language to be introduced)

• The tape-recorded story allows the adult to discuss the characters and events of the story with the children, picking up on their interests and highlighting key events.
• The adult will support the children in learning to use the tape recorder to play a story independently
• Insert, play, this side, eject

Areas & resources inside & out for spontaneous learning

• Story books
• Play recorder in role-play area
• Other ICT equipment that records such as an answer machine in the role-play area
• Software: story book on the computer such as ‘Sheila Rae the Brave’
• Paper tape recorder button games for consolidating recognition e.g. matching, pairs

Questions for assessment opportunities

• What happened in the story?
• Questions about the story, e.g. what happened then? Why couldn’t she get to sleep?
• Where did you put the tape in?
• How did you make the tape work?

Observation

• Can they handle the tape recorder with care?
• Are they able to insert a tape and press the play and/or eject buttons?
• Do they listen attentively to the story and follow any instructions?
• Do they engage with the story through comments or actions?