The Curriculum is a way of teaching and learning that requires us to observe and listen to the children. Questions are asked and by listening for the children’s ideas, hypotheses and theories, I plan activities.
I use their interpretations, intentions and goals (social, emotional and physical) to make choices that are shared with children.
Below is a snapshot of a few days in the summer term.
On a special day..
The children were interested and intrigued to discover that they could paint directly onto the light box and watch the colours appear brighter and more intense. M said, " your painting looks alive and you can touch that button to switch it on or off.
The children spoke about the colours they were using and how to mix two colours to make a third.
B asked, " how does the colour go away?" H said, " look, you just wipe it away like magic!!"
The children had fun exploring with technology in new ways.
We shared our experiences with parents.
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Listening skills used to enhance imagination and role play
Today after play in the garden, the group of children wanted to listen to the story of 'Little red riding hood'. We listened to the story twice. Sam suggested that they' play the characters and dress up'.
The children organised themselves into the roles.
M wanted to be 'mum with baby'. She said, 'the baby will cry'.
R decided to be the ' Little red riding hood wearing a red cape and picking flowers (ice cream lollies!)S was the wolf and said, 'I will wear the tiger cape like a wolf and be scary'
J was the 'old sick grandma with the gruff voice' as he made groans that mimicked someone feeling poorly.
F was the wood cutter and said, 'I will wear the dads hat, like an old dad'.
The story came alive and took different turns and twists as the children enacted and had fun and made it their own. They swapped roles and took on different roles as they enjoyed this activity so much.
When their friends came in after garden play, they were asked to be the audience.
The story came alive again after a few practice runs and the audience enjoyed the fun and laughter from the actors, and gave a loud applause.
Afterwards each child did a drawing of what they had heard and interpreted the story in their individual ways.
We had such fun today and want to do this again!
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Using recycled materials in creative play.....
On another day...
The space rocket landed and the space men couldn't walk on the silver bits,!" This is what E said.
The children explored the area by jumping from one object to another,avoiding the silver sheets.
They added plastic tubes, rubber flexes and small parts.
The play was quiet and engaging. A magical moment!
Diversity in languages and with words.
We had a fun small group session today in class. S suggested that we stay in the tee pee and " peep out and listen".
J shared with the children how to say the names of our favourite colours, in German. She sang a familiar song ( "incey,wincy spider " ) in German, doing the actions. The children were squealing with excitement as they understood the tune and loved the different version!We sang the song in English too.
Then we asked the children who knew words in other languages?
E shared some words in Spanish and German. O was visiting from and knew an Italian word.
J shared some more words in French and sang another song in German about a crocodile from Africa. And Esther sang a song in Afrikaans about two little birds talking to each other. The children loved this and asked for another song to be sung. Esther shared a favourite lullaby that she sings to her own children.
The children loved having a fun group time and listening to how other languages sound. S exclaimed " this is the best day ever"
and..at the end of a tiring day..
We wore goggles as we used tools and explored some woodworking objects. The children loved engaging with "real gloves and bolts! According to S, "hammers can smash your fingers if you don't be careful".
