The Last Three Weeks....

Wow, Discovery Time has been rocking it!
We have had a focus on Birds to link in with an EOTC trip to a nature reserve.
The kids have been so into it.
The activities we had out were:
- Pinecone bird making
- Research station - this was a very popular area
- Bird hunt - taking photos using ipads
- Augmented reality app, based on native NZ birds
- Playdough, making bird related things....

Here's a few snapshots of another successful few weeks of DISCOVERY!

Research Station

Pinecone Birds

Pinecone Birds

Pinecone Birds

Bird Hunt

Research Station

Research Station

Week 2 Discovery Time - Theme: Fairytales

We decided on looking into Fairytales this week, and our key competency focus is talking and listening (Using Language, Symbols and Text), and including others (Relating to Others).
Activities are:
- Role Play with Masks
- Three little pigs sequence cards (colour in and cut out)
- Playdough
- Building a village for the 3 little pigs with foam blocks and lego.

As usual, the kids have taken their own spin on things! One group decided to role play the wolf blowing down the pigs house while using the blocks!
I had to work with them a bit until they got the idea of how to use the masks. My original plan was to put out masks for a whole range of different stories - I'm glad I didn't! Just focusing on one story was plenty.

I think I will continue the same theme next week, as I want to get them using some ICT devices/apps to record their role play and expand their learning a bit more with this. We will focus on other fairy tales so we don't get sick of the same one!

In other areas...I gave them a different activity for writing - it had a picture of Little Red Riding Hood and stars around it, like a brainstorm.  The idea was to get them to draw/write ideas from the story. Well, most of my writers wrote one word in each space, like a sentence! Rather than the intended quick ideas to then build into a story! Maybe my explanation of it, or perhaps too advanced. I will attempt it again and see!

Three Little Pigs House

Sequence Cards

Role Play Masks

Being the wolf and blowing the house down! 

2 days of Discovery!

The kids have responded so well to the changes in our Discovery Time programme. They have loved exploring the activities, and have already started discussing possible themes for future weeks. And also suggesting activities they would like to do! 

We have been having a reflection time at the end of the session to discuss how they were thinking creatively (our focus this week). Here are some of their responses (remember they are 5 years old!):

- I was thinking creatively when I was painting an island with a broken rock.

- I was painting a colourful picture with green on it, and I was mixing colours to make green because you didn't put any out. (This was my favourite comment, completely sums up exactly what the aim is and shows the kids are getting it too!!).

- The bubbles had lots of colours and I blew one with 3 bubbles. 

- Little bubbles made big ones.

- I built a tower and a castle. 

So I think it's working brilliantly so far, and I am feeling pretty stoked with the responses from the kids. I am going to talk with them today to decide on next weeks theme and activities. Repeating the activities for two days has worked really well, so will see how it goes for a third time this afternoon. 

I changed one of the activities from the lego to using some new foam blocks that arrived at the perfect time. 

Building with the foam blocks.

Collage table.

Collage table.

Mixing green! 

Bubbles. 

Discovery Time - or my version of it.

I'm going to have a focus on 'Colour' for next week, and will incorporate it into our writing topics, Discovery Time and language discussions. At the end of the week, I am going to assess how having a more thematic approach helped me with my planning and assessment, the kids engagement, and how it worked in general. At this stage I will use the following activities for our Discovery Time:
- collage table, using colours to express emotions (I will use a book to model this).
- paint area - mixing colours, creating new ones.
- literacy area - with books about rainbows (maybe).
- building area - using LEGO to create a colourful 'masterpiece'.
I think I will keep these activities for 3 days to allow the children plenty of opportunities to explore. I may add in an extra one if I think of anything, or feel they are getting bored.
I have tended to run a 'loose' Discovery Time' session most days, with a focus on social skills, so will see how this change goes. I have also created a weekly plan to reflect the changes. Wish me luck!

Term 3 2015

So this term begins with some apprehension. 
I have a full class, which is going to get bigger. With an ORS (high special needs student) preparing to start in Term 4. 
I have been struggling with teaching my 5 year old class all year.  
Don't get me wrong - I love this age. I love the excitement of watching them learning, their faces lighting up when they get something new, their enthusiasm for school and learning. But for my own personal and professional development, I am ready for a change. I need a change. 
So hence the start of this blog. To give me a place to share my ideas, as I find new ways to share my own passion for learning with this age group. To install some excitement back into my teaching practise.  
So this blog will cover mainly my learnings with MLE (Modern Learning Environments), using Discovery Time more effectively, and writing ideas. Plus whatever else I feel like! 
Here's to Term 3 - 10 weeks of excitement, engagement, and pleasure in both learning and teaching.