Tamariki spenting time exploring outdoor environment.

Pirate Ship

Indoor-Construction and creativity using variety of art resources

At Mt Royal we value space because of its power to organise, promote pleasant relationships between people of different ages, create environment providing choices and learning opportunity and its potential for sparking all kinds of social, effective and cognitive learning.

D found a leaf outside while she was playing. She kept it in her hand nice and safe the whole time she was outside. D came inside to show me her precious leaf that she found. She told me it came from the tall tree outside and it was lying in the sandpit.  D played for a little while and then she decided to keep it in our nature corner. “Bharti, I want to put it here,” said D showing me the nature corner. I told her that it’s a very good idea. While she was putting the leaf, her attention went towards the magnifying glass and I could see that she was very keen to explore the natural resources. “This shell looks big,” explained D  when she saw through the magnifying glass. Let’s explore some more D and see what else looks big under this magnifying glass. She was at nature corner for a long time telling me the things that she can see. Soon more friends joined D and I could see her excitement increased and lots of conversations started among them.

D experienced an environment where her play was valued as meaningful learning and the importance of spontaneous play was recognised. D’s exploration started with a little leaf and developed into a very interesting and meaningful experience for her as well as other children.

D  to support you in the interest of natural resources, I will have them available for revisit.

Snake house

T and A started with the interest of bugs and insects and today they decided to make the snake house. They got the rocks and lined them up and then T shared his idea with A, “I think the snake will escape, let’s put the rocks around.” I could see the boys working as a team and they discussed how the snake house should look like. Soon the snake house was made and they played with the bugs and snakes for a long time. In order for them to continue with this interest, I make the bugs and insects’ corner for the children to have longer time and space. It was amazing to see how the children kept spending lots of time at the bugs and insects corner everyday talking and sharing ideas.

T developed range of strategies for reasoning and problem solving. A showed ways to be creative and expressive while learning with and alongside others.

T’s grandma shared that T is doing so well and sharing lots of things at home as well.

A granddad showed proudness towards A’s creativity and ways he learns alongside his friends.

L since you started at Mt Royal in March you have been a keen explorer of the outdoors. L I think you love to go outdoors when it has been raining as it adds a different element to your play. L over the past month I have seen an interest for construction emerge in your play.  I first noticed your interest develop through your love of play-dough and as I have observed your play I can see that construction is evident throughout your day of exploring at Mt Royal.

L for today’s adventure you were outside exploring with the big puddle of water that had been left behind by the rain. L along with some friends you were creating a lake to go fishing in. L to create the lake you and your friends  had to build the walls, using a tyre and then you created the base of the lake using the river stones. Then the fun part began transferring the water from the puddles to your lake, such messy fun!

What learning I see happening..

L as you are playing and exploring with the water and using the spade to transport the water you are working on your hand eye coordinartion. Also as you work together with your peers you are developing your language and your turn taking skills. L as you fill the water into the lake you are learning about the mathematical concepts of full and empty

Links to Te whariki

Playing with water supports learning across all strands of Te Whāriki. In particular, it supports the Exploration strand, where children gain confidence in and control of their bodies, an
d where they learn  strategies for active exploration, thinking and reasoning.

Water play gives children the opportunity to develop useful social skills while playing alongside other children as part of the Contribution strand and, where conflicts arise, there are opportunities to practise problem solving. As part of the Belonging strand, they develop ideas about the limits and boundaries of acceptable behaviour.

Pathways and Possibilities

To continue to offer L  the opportunities to extend her interest in construction using different media for example the carpentry table and the glue gun

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E, today you brought a couple of masks in to show the children at mat-time. You also wanted to use the mask in your play. E, you fully understood the rules for having belonging from home used in .

I specially noticed the way you were delegating the masks out to the children and making sure everybody knew when their turn was next. The play within the family corner was very harmonies and kind atmosphere.

Short term review– E your story explains that your sense of belonging has grown to the point when you are starting to take responsibility and contribution to the direction of your play. (Learning disposition– contribution= taking responsibility).

Opportunities and possibilities- Let us continue to support your ability to take responsibility within your environment.

Date: Oct 2015                                     Teacher: Mary- Louise