Nina Marni to all of our little learners and their amazing families. Welcome to another wonderful blog of innovative learning.
Learning Intention: 1
To support children’s expression of ideas and identity through mark-making and collaborative art experiences
| Why : Mark making simply refers to the creation of different patterns, lines, textures and shapes. Mark-making is not just about early writing; it is a sensory and physical experience which can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities. As well as early writing, mark-making can develop into mathematical representation and creative expression. Making marks enables children to develop their hand eye co-ordination and fine motor skills through practicing to hold a tool, deciding what grip suits them best, which hand feels most natural and through making small, controlled movements using the tool.By giving children, the opportunity to explore different mediums of mark making, it engages them in sensory play and allows them to discover new exciting materials.This helps to enhance a child’s critical thinking, brain development and language development, which gives them the ability to build towards more complex learning tasks in the future. |
Children using multiple tools such as pencils, paint brushes, crayons and natural resources to create different patterns of scribbles lines and dots represent the early years of their drawings and writing skills. The ability to hold a writing tool and to move with precision acknowledges their fine motor coordination. Throughout this week children began exploring and experimenting a variety of patterns , lines, textures and shapes. Children began to gain a sense of agency and learn about the world around them. They gained such great pleasure through this physical learning experience where each one of them were able to use their hands and fingers to articulate their squiggles and patterns. Crafting with the use of scissors , glue sticks and manoeuvring the sticky tape in its dispenser has been some momentous moments which have helped children experience the beauty of early writing.
Rediscovering new learning materials with the use of the sense of touch combined with a variety of textures. Children helped make some delicious pizza for their afternoon tea. This was a wonderful learning experience for our little learners as they were able to include our learning intention 1 of mark making combined with a touch of sensory and texture. Using the rolling pin for fine motor articulation was another exciting learning experience a capture to admire.
This week we celebrate Valentine’s day on the 14th of February. Our children crafted and created beautiful love hearts for some of the special people in their lives and their family. These beautiful hearts were decorated and colours used to the interests of the children. The children held on to their hearts through the procession into prayer and a special prayer was offered to Jesus thanking for the gift of love, and the gift of family.
| Learning Intention 2: To continue working towards our goal of embedding consistent daily routines and rituals across our team and learning environment. Why Consistency in our learning environment supports children through the provision of a more predictable and secure daily rhythm, communication strategies and predictable educator responses. Some of the practices we seek to embed across (LDC 3 years) also relate specifically to the National Quality Standards. |
Throughout this week children have been adjusting and developing an understanding to our daily routines with the use and guidance of our visual charts. The morning chart and the afternoon chart. Teachers have been helping guiding and supporting children with these routines and providing them with opportunities to place the visual cards up on each of the charts throughout the day. The daily routine and transitions which occur throughout the day have helped the children gain a better understanding of what to expect now, next and then. Predictable routines help and support smooth transitions into our learning.
| Learning Intention 3: Sacred symbols are special and important.Why? Doctrinal Insights from the Catholic Tradition that support this Enduring Understanding include:Sacred symbols remind us that God is close to us, and with us.In my Catholic learning environment, I can see many sacred symbols.Candle flames remind us that God is with us.The Bible reminds us of God’s love for us through special stories.The Cross reminds us of Jesus.Water is used for special blessingsSacred symbols are used in my school/ELC and in church celebrations, prayer and liturgy. (CCC1145)Other faith traditions also have sacred symbols The Sign of the Cross is a prayer to God.Doctrinal and Content Elaborations: Doctrinal Insights from the Catholic Tradition that support this Enduring Understanding include:The Sign of the Cross is a prayer with actions and words.The words remind us that God is called Father, Son and Holy Spirit.The actions represent the symbol of the Cross, and that prayer involves our head, heart and body. |
Prayer time in the mornings as a group has brought about an abundance of joy amongst our little learners. The children have been walking into prayer listening to the music of “come and join the circle” and each child is given an opportunity to carry a sacred symbol which has been the candle this week into prayer. The candle which symbolises light reveals the presence of god within us and among us.
Literacy intentions (Our hopes for our learning.)
This week children have been engaged in looking at picture books and with help and support from their teachers story time has been very interesting and amazing. children have found the book nook a special corner and place to share their thoughts , ideas and imagination with their peers and their teachers. children have also been experimenting some bookmaking with their teacher and have created some beautiful characteristic pictures.
Community visits around the Holy family catholic school and dramatic play within our learning space have had a spontanious effect on children’s learning. Here are some beautiful moments where the children displayed their interests and promoted and extended their inquiry and physical capabilities.
Some specs of gold for this week.
Lets decorate our hair at the most beautiful and amazing salon.
Hope you all have a relaxing and a beautiful weekend. Happy Valentine’s day to all our amazing families.