Inquiring about the ABCs

The inquiry process is the anchor of our kindergarten program. We teach the children to approach their work using this process, and it leads to deep and authentic learning. Worksheets and other "follow the directions" type tasks have been abandoned in favour of this more creative and cognitive approach.

The inquiry process has these steps:

wonder --> explore --> plan --> experiment --> observe --> share ideas --> wonder

Sometimes the steps happen out of order, but they always are a self-sustaining cycle. Inquiries use language, math, science and the arts all together.

As the children are settling into full time school, it is time to start exploring letters and words. Rather than teaching a "Letter of the Week", we are taking an inquiry stance to learn about the alphabet.

To get them started, we asked:

"How many letters are there?"

Many children got right to work printing out the letters they knew, then counting them. Many children came up with the same number, and when they didn't, we taught them how to check their work for mistakes.

Using the alphabet song was a big help! Ben used it a lot to re-read his work and check it as he went.

Haley, Evan, and Jamie took out the magnet letters and went looking for the alphabet. When they pulled a new letter out, they worked to see if it was a match or if it was unique. As we worked, the children talked about "their" letters in their names, and compared letter shapes.

Looking at their learning behaviours, the children are using inquiry to:

-identify and print letters

-sequence

-count

-match and compare

-edit and revise work

-co-operate and communicate about a common goal

-use prior knowledge (the ABC Song) to solve a current problem

We haven't decided exactly how many there are yet. The inquiry continues. You could even try exploring it at home...just DON'T give the answer away! The learning happens when the child solves it on his or her own. Stay tuned for our final results.

Calming Down

Self-regulation is the ability to maintain a calm and alert state of mind and body. Here in Room 115, we talk about the engine inside every person. When it is going too fast, you run and scream and are silly or unsafe. Too slow, and you daydream, zone out, and nod off. Learning can't happen in either state. We try to stay "just right" - calm, alert, and happy.

As you know, the average 4 or 5 year old has trouble self-regulating at times, so adults need to step in and remind them to slow their engine down. We use a few strategies to calm down, such as taking "yoga breaths", squeezing our hands together, or counting down slowly.

We introduced another strategy this week- calm down bottles.

The bottles are filled with glitter, and are absolutely mesmerizing. The pictures do not do them justice.

Have you ever watched a lava lamp or a fish tank of jelly fish? The calm down bottles have the same effect.

After I made them on the weekend, I couldn't resist playing with one on the couch! I knew the children would love them.

The children are free to use them in the quiet corner or during quiet time in the afternoon. As you can see, the bottles are very effective to calm down the children.

Sometimes, when a child isn't self regulating, the teachers will ask them to get a bottle and relax for a few moments. It's helping to maintain a calm atmosphere in the classroom.

Want to make your own?

You need:

An empty 591ml bottle

Warm water

A small tube of glitter glue

About 2 tsp of matching glitter...must be the very fine type

Clear Elmer's glue or clear corn syrup

Fill the bottle about 3/4 with warm water. Add the glitter glue and glitter and give it a shake. Add some clear Elmer's glue or corn syrup. I used about 3/4 of the Elmer's bottle, and this gives about 5 minutes of settling time. Less glue makes it settle fast, more makes it slower. Play around, adding water and glue, until you get the effect you want. Fill the bottle almost to the top. I recommend gluing the top shut with super glue.

Then enjoy the peace and quiet!

We walk for Terry and Maci

Our own Maci has recently finished IV chemo treatments. Today her mom, grandma, and nurse came to school to show off her bravery beads. Each bead was given to her after a procedure was done, from drawing blood, to surgery, to riding in an ambulance and even for losing her hair. 

The nurse Dianne showed us how people with cancer sometimes lose their hair and have a port-a-cath in their bodies.

In the afternoon, we went out for our Terry Fox walk. It was a long walk for little legs, but spirits were high!

It was a lovely day celebrating health, medicine and care for others. Some girls have even started turning our drama centre into a hospital for babies. Stay tuned!

Happy Birthday!

Birthdays are important. It's a chance to celebrate a single person and to shower them with love and kindness. They strengthen bonds and build community. In our class, we've begun an inquiry into birthdays- why do we have them, how do we celebrate, who do they belong to?

We started our learning by making a large birthday calendar for the room. Next, we planned a surprise party for Mrs. Telford. She was trying to keep the day a secret, and also happened to be out at an appointment the day before. Conditions were right for a surprise. We made a plan together in the morning, then got to work. 

Our visiting friend Miss Robin helped us make oatmeal muffins. 

We worked on a Happy Birthday banner. 

Joe made her a painting. 

Violet and many others made cards and gifts. 

We blew up balloons. 

And made a birthday crown. 

This morning we surprised Mrs Telford with her gifts and the muffins. 

Then we put on her favourite music (the Rolling Stones) and had a balloon dance party!

Once we were worn out, we headed outside to enjoy blowing bubbles, one of Mrs Telford's favourite simple pleasures. 

I think the birthday girl was pretty happy!

By working together on the surprise party project, our class became closer. We worked towards a common goal with kindness in our hearts. The children shared their love, and got lots back. 

Rainbows in the Green Classroom

Our school has an amazing outdoor learning space called The Green Classroom. It was established about 10 years ago by a visionary teacher named Barb Logan, who has since retired. Since those first days as simply an unmown patch of grass, it has grown into a natural habitat with diverse areas. There are garden beds, a meadow, and maturing forest. 

As a passionate outdoors person, I try to bring a group of children out a few times a week. We started with just an introduction to the space and how to move in it respectfully. I ask them to think of it as Mother Nature's house. When we visit a friend's house we are polite and don't run, scream, climb the furniture or be destructive. So far, the children are showing a lot of self regulation in this exciting space. 

Today, we brought out some paint chips and went looking for the colours of the rainbow. We soon discovered that green is not the only colour in the Green Classroom. 

Once the children were finished with a card, they traded with a friend. They cooperated beautifully together. 

When return to play this game again in a few weeks, it will be interesting to observe all the new fall colours!

Learning to be kind

This week we've started working on our first learning goal. Learning goals are a way for us to target and frame learning experiences. We teach the children to be aware of the goals they are working towards, which encourages them to be reflective and focused learners. 

Our first goal is....(drum roll please!)...

We are learning to be kind. 

This goal will form the foundation of our classroom community. Learning can only happen in a community filled with calm, alert, and kind people. As we progress through the year, we will have math, art, language, science and health goals. But for now we are focusing clearly on social and emotional regulation. 

We are using the pictures below on a classroom poster to help visualize the 6 ways to be kind. Can you guess what is represented in each photo? Answers at the end. 

1. Share

2. Help

3. Gentle 

4. Listen

5. Safe

6. Calm

These six words will form a mantra for us over the next few weeks. Ask your child at home about ways to be kind. 

Get Smart

We got word this afternoon our Smart Board was ready to be installed. 

What's a Smart Board you ask? It's like a combination giant TV, whiteboard, and iPad. We can connect computers to make web-linked interactive lessons. 

Look at all the tools Mr Jim our installer needed!

We had to leave the class for most of the day while Mr. Jim did his work, so we were thankful for the sunshine outside. At lunch, we came in and had some interesting entertainment to enjoy. 

By 2:30 it was all done and we celebrated with a Just Dance party!