Hi all,
While attending the AAPAE (Australasian Association for Progressive and Alternative Education) conference in New Zealand on the holidays, Fran and I were terribly inspired by different practices in different schools and had many ideas for how we might enrich the learning experiences that are happening at Currambena. As a result, a few things in our classroom have changed with the onset of term 2. Primarily, we re-realised the widespread benefits of play, and are trying to give our class more opportunities to learn in the playground, rather than in the more formalised classroom environment.
What this means for our classroom is that we have changed the way our morning sessions run. From 9:30 until 11:30, the kids have to do three things. They each need to come and see me, see Fran and see Sarah. With Fran they do a reading and alphabet activity, with me they do writing, and then they need to tell Sarah what they have chosen to do third. This third choice is quite open; kids can do handwriting, storywriting, build with blocks, climb a tree and more. It is a chance for them to learn through play, and we are aligning the different types of play with the NSW curriculum documents, so that we can show the powers that be that children have covered the required outcomes, albeit in more creative ways than are usually used.
This learning through play can also be seen in the Learning Stories that are beginning to be displayed in our classroom. Learning Stories are another idea we picked up at the conference, and allow us to document the learning that occurs beyond pencil and paper. They’re also great in that the kids provide input and really own the document. They are delighted with seeing their work recorded in this way and I am getting frequent requests to take photos of work the kids have done in- and out-side. Can’t keep up with the demand! They’re labour-intensive, but I’m trying to record at least one each day.
As a result of all these changes, and all the great ideas we gained from the conference, we would like to know if there is any interest in an info/discussion night for our class. We will put a note up on the door so that you can note whether you would like this to happen.
Next Friday, 15 May, is Walk to School day. To help the kids to do this Olivia and I will be in Lane Cove Plaza from 8:30 on the day and will set off to school at 8:45. If you would like your child to be a part of this, please sign up on our door.
This term we are going to be studying our bodies and animals.
Have a great week,
Jo
