Q & A

Are there any questions, ideas and feelings that have been raised?    

Audience comments:

Have you used ‘Evernote’ during parent-teacher interviews to showcase student work or video clips of student learning? If so, how was this received by parents?

We only started using Evernote after parent-teacher interviews. Next year, however, I would show student learning to parents by opening up the child’s file; especially if there was a video or a particular picture that demonstrated the child’s learning.

How do students learn the basics (i.e letters) if they’re ‘just playing’?

It’s finding a balance between learning centres and small group instruction. In every centre there are opportunities to develop literacy and numeracy skills. It’s the purposeful/ intentional ‘materials’ that are placed in the centres that are key for allowing students to display their learning in authentic ways. Although we try to get away from whole-group phonic lessons and printing books; these are done in small group sessions such as ‘sock and chalk’ (McCracken Program). The teacher and ECE place themselves in the centres to reinforce the skills that were learned in small group instruction.

How to begin (it sounds great, but overwhelming!) …We have no ECE (teacher only) and we only see our students for half a day every second day. How do we overcome this challenge?

It has taken us a few years to get where we are: an on-going journey. Take ‘baby steps’. Really think about the materials that you are putting in the centre in order to provoke discoveries and learning. Make a point to get into the centre more often and really listen to the students in order to push their thinking. In addition, the use of technology to capture student learning and using Evernote to organize our document has made things more efficient.

Exit Card Feedback

What are one or two things you will take away from today and use in your own practice?     

Audience comments:

• The value of having access to iPads, SMARTboards, etc.
• Listen more to student talk (observations and comments)!
• Discovery Scrapbook
• I like the idea of sharing the videos with the class to stimulate further inquiry and engagement.
• I also like the use of students’ ‘action photos’ as tools to have other students interact with them by asking them about the photo.
• Many of your tech ideas as well as some of the classroom practices.
• Integration of iPad/ SMARTboard and sharing at the end of the day.
• Use iPads to record students during activities and show the videos to consolidate learning.
• Use of Evernote for documentation and tagging.
• Encourage & assist FDK teachers to apply for TLLP and to introduce Evernote to teachers.
• The importance of consolidating learning at the end of centre time. Use more tech tools to organize documentation.
• The use of iPads and other technology by students.
• I love all of the tips for incorporating technology in the classroom.
• Posting “wonderings” around the room.
• Using the apps recommended for the Kindergarten level.
• ECE is key in listening and observing student learning. Love ‘Just Playing video’.

Just Playing by Annita Wadley

Just Playing
By Anita Wadley

When I'm a building in the block room,
Please don't say, "I'm just playing"
For, you see, I'm learning as I play
About balance and shapes.

When I'm getting all dressed up,
Setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don't get the idea I'm "just playing."
I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint,
Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,
Please don't let me hear you say, "He's just playing"
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair
"Reading" to an imaginary audience,
Please don't laugh and think I'm, "just playing"
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
Or packing my pockets with choice things I find,
Don't pass it off as "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle,
Or "plaything" at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in "play"
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is just "play"
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse, or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I've done at school today,
And I say "I played,"
Please don't misunderstand me.
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to be successful in work.
I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I'm a child and my work is play

Learning to Listen

Capturing Evidence of Student Thinking, Learning & Inquiry

Our Presentation! Please post comments if  you have any questions or comments. We are constantly reflecting on our practices, and doing our best to truly implement a play-based learning environment in our full-day early learning classrooms.

 

Sharing Our Learning (EOCCC Conference)

On April 4th, we presented at the Eastern Ontario Catholic Curriculum Cooperative in Cornwall, ON. As part of our project, we have been using iPads and SMARTboard technology to capture evidence of student learning, thinking and inquiry. We showed how the use of these tools positively impacts oral language development and the ability to consolodate learning.

We have been on a journey to share our learning with our peers. Not only are we hoping to develop our skills as educators, we are striving to jump out of our comfort zones and take risks!

EOCCC Conference

 

Hands-on Learning!