Snapshots of Learning (November)

Here are some snapshots of learning in the classroom from the month of November. Often students demonstrate their understanding of concepts taught during lessons while engage in play with their peers at different learning areas. Sometimes students engage in play with friends, other times they may find they need some quiet time and play by themselves. There's room for children to work in pairs, groups or independently in our classroom space.

"I'm sorting the buttons."

"Yeah, but you still have some mixed up."

"I know, I'm not finished."

This student began to sort by two colour types. Then she decided to find all the heart buttons she could in the button box.

Students are encouraged to create their own math games with friends at the Math area in the classroom. There is paper and pencil crayons available for them to record their games and math thinking.

Students wear smocks when engaged in play at the water table. This is to keep them as dry as possible. Different materials are put out each week. In this photograph, there is a colour theme with everything being blue. The students engage in imaginative play with the open-ended materials. They create stories and talk with each other about what they are doing as they play. It's a great place to support oral language among students.

Sometimes we all need a break. The book area of the classroom has 4 big bean bags. Here a student is quietly reading a book and taking a break from the busy classroom.

Art is messy. There's sometimes no way out of that. 

Thankfully, most of our art supplies are washable!

We have two types of paint in the classroom. 

Liquid bottle paint and water colour puck paint.

Here two students are taking the time to draw and write about the game they invented with the large blocks and wooden balls on the carpet.

When designing with blocks, children have to negotiate with one another and engage in problem solving skills. They may want to place a block somewhere and their friend has another idea. This is a part of learning to talk to each other in a collaborative manner and respect the ideas and input of others. 

Hard work for four and five year olds! But they can do it!