How We Capture The Children's Learning

The children are invited to explore their documentation binders.

This is where we gather bits and pieces of the 'work' children do throughout the year.

There are drawings, progress in printing, self-portraits, photo's of the children in play, number fun and so much more!

Teachers comment on the children's work and record what the children say.

We learn so much about them.

They learn so much about themselves!

We love to see their faces when they realize how much they do and how much they know.

One of the parts about the documentation binders that we really enjoy is when the children pour through them.

So many, "Remember when we..."
"Hey! Look!"
"Teacher! Teacher! Can we do that again!"

When the children look at their binders, we talk about all the things they do and wonder about some things other friends do.

After all, kindergarten is a place where we get to try everything!
Each of the children are great at something, and know they can get better at anything just by trying.

So they make a goal.

Maybe their goal is to visit the block centre and build.

Or to visit the art studio and paint more often.

Their goal might be to turn their drawings into stories and write a book!

 

When the parents look through the binders with their child, won't they be so excited?!!!

It's the next best thing to being here...

in the wonderful world of kindergarten.

A note from The Kindergarten Team to the families...

We hope you enjoy seeing how much all the children learn as we engage with them when they play.

We are sure that you will be as amazed at your child as we are every day! 

We look forward to reading the notes you send us when the documentation binders come back.

Sand Art

A provocation...

What might the children do when they come to the art studio today?

Given the language of art with words like sketch, still life, shades...

what might the children be inspired to create?

 

We talk about curves and lines and perspective and compare heights.

 

We notice.

 

And then the children, as they always do,

begin to think and consider and...

become inspired by the many materials available in the open art studio.

Artistic expression emerged.

Glue and coloured sand came off the shelves.

Sketches of still life were adorned with glue in just the right spots and scattered 

ever-so-intentionally with matching colours of sand.

 

 

 No great artist ever sees things as they really are.

If he did, he would cease to be an artist.

~ Oscar Wilde ~

When You Start With A Provocation

 

Begin the Day Activities

Part of the routine of each morning is an active and engaged playtime 

after the children sign in.

The children enter the day, making sure their mailbags, backpacks and clothes are in their cubbies and baskets. Then they sign in by writing their name and answering a question. The question may be asking about anything from measurement to make-believe.

But, after sign-in...the real fun begins!
 

 The teachers choose many activities and open materials for the children 

to explore and play with.

We spend this time engaging in the fun and playful learning that reflects 

what the children know.

 

We introduce the children to new concepts and ideas.

 

 And the children introduce us to new ways to use the open materials they play with!

The children explore things like amounts and sizes and ordering.

And they talk and write about stories and pictures to add to their documentation binders.

They record and plan and pattern and create gardens and circus dogs using shapes.

The children build with small, interesting objects.

Or play dice games that we've created together.

They teach each other as we explore materials and ideas.

And help each other as they make new books and learn new letter sounds and words.

 

The children read and are read to and move freely to the activities that have been chosen.

And our brains are ignited for the day...

ready for playing and learning and discovering all that there is to do

 in the wonderful world of kindergarten!

Plasticine With Wire

Setting out different types of wire with the plasticine inspired the children to create some interesting sculptures. We added many different weights of wire.

Some of the wire was easier to manipulate. Heavier wire required more strength, but held it's shape better and could bear more weight.

Some children used bits of plasticine to hold their sculptured pieces together.

Others incorporated the wire into their plasticine creations.

Shaping wire around a pencil resulted in spirals of wire.

Noah created a sculpture which brought 'electricity down the wire and to the electrical place.'

The finest wire was similar to a heavy thread. It became tangled easily...but was awfully fun to snip!