One area our entire team is very passionate about is outdoor learning. We believe that children need generous amounts of outdoor time to explore, play, create and wonder about the world around them. We are so fortunate to have a huge outdoor area that accommodates all types of learning. We think of our outdoor space as… Continue reading Environmental Inquiry
Author: Mrs. V Urquhart
Language and Literacy Development
Supporting language and literacy development is my passion and every year, I’m amazed at how exciting it is to watch children develop their reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and representing skills. Our students enter kindergarten with rich experiences in language and literacy. They ask questions, share how they are feeling, ask to hear stories and… Continue reading Language and Literacy Development
Making Learning Visible – Pedagogical Documentation
As you look at each of these pictures, what do you notice? What do you wonder? Are these photographs of significant learning? What might your next steps be in planning for these children? An integral part of our job as Kindergarten Educators is assessment. We observe and listen carefully to what children say, do and… Continue reading Making Learning Visible – Pedagogical Documentation
The Benefits of Risky and Rough Play
Most mornings, our playground structure is teeming with bodies. There are children climbing, sliding, crawling and jumping. A teacher stands nearby and observes a small group of children navigate who will use the slide. "I'm climbing up right now. Can you wait for me?" "Yes! When you get to the top, then I will slide… Continue reading The Benefits of Risky and Rough Play
Diverse Learners
"Members are dedicated in their care and commitment to students. They treat students equitably and with respect and are sensitive to factors that influence individual student learning. Members facilitate the development of students as contributing citizens of Canadian society." (Ontario College of Teachers) As a teacher, a professional standard I fully embrace to is a… Continue reading Diverse Learners
Supporting Math Learning
In the sandbox, a pair of four year old children explore capacity by gleefully counting how many scoops will fill their green and pink pails. “I think more sand will fit in this big pail! I bet we could put one hundred scoops!” “Yeah! Maybe even more than one hundred!” Like one hundred- forty- zillion!… Continue reading Supporting Math Learning
Messing About- Cultivating Learners Through Inquiry
"All children are competent, capable of complex thinking, curious, and rich in potential and experience." (The Kindergarten Program, 2016) One of the most rewarding parts of my job as a Kindergarten teacher is observing children in play. The joy and curiosity they bring to rich, authentic play experiences illustrates so much about their past experiences… Continue reading Messing About- Cultivating Learners Through Inquiry