Monday 30 May 2016

End of Year Activities- Take a S.E.L.F.I.E!

So it's the end of yet another year and you are organizing to have your kids memorialize their year with lots of activities. Here I have a simple yet trendy way to get their thoughts and ideas together. Let them take a SELFIE challenge! Yes, I said it S.E.L.F.I.E! So are you going to have them all walking around with smartphones taking pictures of themselves? Of course not! Here's what I have for you!






S.E..L.F.I.E. is an acronym that I created that stands for Skills, Emotions, Learning, Friends, Incredible moments and Expectations. Your kiddos will have fun in capturing moments in their memory using each one of these aspects. They can either draw pictures or stick photographs of those memories. Either way their past year would be represented using this acronym.


This super idea was created in black and white only so you may choose to print them on colored pages.

I had so much fun creating this trendy set of resources that I am offering them FREE at my TpT store.You can click HERE to go directly to this free file!

Have fun!



Sunday 29 May 2016

The Power of Play



More and more we are taking away the freedom of kids to explore their surroundings through their senses as they play. As teachers we have grown to clamp them down, all in the effort 'to teach', afterall, we only have them for a few hours of the day so we at least need to maximize that time we have with them. Wow! This is so wrong! Just imagine an entire kindergarten class being denied their playtime just because Miss did not like how they worked today. Really? Yes, Really! It does happen! Maybe not where you are, but some where out there it's happening!

 In this age of testing and evaluation we have grown to sacrifice our children's natural disposition to explore their world all for the formality of education. As a teacher I have grown to understand that I must be able to facilitate learning through the quality of my interactions with my students. Essentially, I must consider the nature and characteristics of children and facilitate learning through play. As a kindergarten teacher I must assume different roles as a 'player' myself to get a better understanding of how I can facilitate learning in my classroom. At several times of the day I am an onlooker, a stage manager, a co-player and a  play leader. As an onlooker I observe their play from a distance only offering views and comments when it is necessary. This can help me to understand their habits and their needs. As a stage manager I provide them with the necessary materials that they would need for their interactions with their world.  As a co-player I get involved  with them as they attempt to create their own knowledge.  As play leader, I guide their thinking and learning through questioning and think alouds and model problem solving strategies.


For more information on the role of play in the classroom check out the articles below:

 The Power of Play

The Joyful Illiterate Kindergarteners of Finland


Electricity Clipart for Your Science Lessons

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