WELCOME TO the PS1P BLOG |
"PLAY IS OUR BRAIN'S FAVORITE WAY OF LEARNING." DIANE ACKERMAN
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WELCOME TO the PS1P BLOG |
"PLAY IS OUR BRAIN'S FAVORITE WAY OF LEARNING." DIANE ACKERMAN
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Last week we started our second line of inquiry, Becoming part of a class community. The key concept for this line of inquiry is change and the related concept is belonging. During morning meeting we talked about the main change that happened since children had started school; that now they are part of the class community and what things we do together as a class. The children gave examples such as ‘we play together’, ‘we read books’, ‘we line up’, ‘we change shoes’ and ‘we tidy up’. To give children a concrete example of change, we presented them with different activities where they could see change taking place. They observed ice melting and watched a video where a shapeless piece of clay turned into a pot. Following this, each student tried to create their own artwork with a piece of playdough, changing it from one thing into another. A toy car washing station gave the children an idea about changing something from dirty to clean. They enjoyed driving toy cars on the 'road' and when they got dirty, washing them in the water with tooth brushes and then sending cars to “the park” on the plastic tray to dry and get ready for another round. In order to strengthen their understanding of the essential agreements we set up, we separated an area near the sink with chairs and explained to the children that we need to take turns to play in this small area. Our essential agreements are:
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Over the past weeks we first focused with the children on our first line of inquiry: Choices we make, and tried to look at choices from different perspectives. We started by talking about what choices children make for themselves at home and they shared, for example, what they choose for breakfast and which games they choose to play. To explore our school surroundings, which are completely new for most of our children, and to complement our focus on choices we make, we took a trip to our beautiful school garden next to the Elementary building. The children explored the garden with curiosity, peeking under leaves, and were exited to find some fruit including tomato, turnip and pepper. After that we took some time to reflect on what we had observed, and each child drew a picture of a favourite plant. Then children shared their thoughts when asked: ”What did you choose to draw? Why?”. When we came back to the classroom the children were given a choice of variety of vegetables cut in half to print with on a piece of fabric. The art work we got as a result now decorates one of our classroom walls. We also discussed choices we make when we feel happy, upset or angry. Ms.Wah Wah and Ms. Nadejda acted out with puppets a situation when cat and sheep are not able to share Lego pieces even though they both want to do the same thing, namely build a tower. We asked the children for suggestions on how to help sheep and cat, and they suggested:
The first two weeks in our class were a great success! The boys and girls have done a great job of adjusting to our daily routine. This time has been dedicated to allowing the children to become familiar and comfortable with their new surroundings, and to encouraging them to begin to get to know both their classmates and teachers better. Thank you all for sending a family photograph to school. We have created a class family album and the children are enjoying looking at it and sharing their photograph with friends, naming each family member as they do. Next week we will be beginning our first Unit of Inquiry, Who we are. Our first Central Idea, which we sometimes refer to as our 'big idea', is 'Our choices define who we are as individuals and as a community.' This year we made the exciting decision (or choice) as an entire Elementary School staff to use this same Central Idea for every grade level. In addition to all the students and teaching staff focusing on this big idea during curriculum time, teachers are also focusing on what this means for us as a staff. Our goal is that in all focusing on this idea at the same time, we will set the year off to an excellent start as we, students and adults, make collaborative choices as to how we want to behave, what kind of individuals we each want to be, and what sort of community we want to work together to create. In order to ensure that the learning is developmentally appropriate, the Lines of Inquiry and Key Concepts will differ from grade to grade. You can find a more detailed outline of the first Unit of Inquiry on the 'Unit of Inquiry' page found on one of the tabs at the top of this home page The first few weeks have been days full of observation, exploration and investigation in our new room and with each other. The photographs below are a small snapshot of all the learning that has been taking place. |
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