Making learning visible with Documentation panels

Throughout our classroom we have documentation panels that showcase how our children are learning. They include photographs, samples of children's work at several different stages of completion, along with the students voice which may be comments written by the teacher or the student. Our documentation panels share a story along with the purpose of the experience or event. The children are a part of the process of creating the documentation panel and are excited to share their learning. For us as educators, the documentation panels provide insights into our children's thinking which helps to make the learning visible. It is exciting to see children sharing their documentation books or revisiting a documentation panel they helped create and sharing their joy with others.

The dress shop project

Throughout the school year our children created with material at our dress shop.  Our dress shop started with a child attending a fashion show on a weekend and then coming back to school and creating an outfit with material from the art studio. We never imagined that the interest and love of designing clothing would last all year long. Our children ended the year with a fashion show on the stage showcasing their very own designs. Children love cutting material so whether its an old sheet or material from a yard sale, let your child create an outfit that they will spend time role playing with. So much learning is happening when they are measuring, cutting and putting it altogether. You never know you may get a new outfit to wear. We certainly had our share of wonderful outfits designed this year. My favourite was a design by Ethan which was an apron he designed for his mom after she got her clothing messy while making dinner. He even made the wrapping paper at the art studio. Now that's creative!

The art project

We had the most creative and artistic students this year. They had such a love for the arts and created the most impressive pieces of art. They were so proud of their efforts and wanted to share their creations so they made an Art Gallery in our hallway. By giving children the opportunity each day to choose their own materials and create what they would like really helps them to develop as an artist. They inspired each other and helped each other to create masterpieces. The arts play an integral role in children's cognitive, language, motor, social and emotional development.  At home, provide a space for your child to use a variety of materials to create. Children can do so much with recycled materials and boxes provide hours of creative fun. Also think about bringing the materials outdoors and letting children paint with natural materials or create something with sticks, stones and shells. We would love to see your child's creation at school in September.