Welcome to Week 4 everyone, we hope you had a lovely weekend enjoying the beautiful sunshine.
Today began with talking about our feelings and that it is ok to feel different ways. We also referred to the 5 point scale and talked about ‘Counting Slowly from Ten to One’ as a strategy to help us down from a three.
Then it was on to play based investigations. With kite making, emotion dolls, role playing, weather watching and box construction all on offer.
After recess it was time to explore our new letter… Bb. Our handwriting and pencil grip is steadily improving in class and the effort students are putting into their work has been amazing today!
Our shared reading text was up next ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See’. Today we planted a seed for writer’s workshop to see if anyone would be brave enough to create their own Brown Bear story; having a go at recording their own colours and animals by using their imagination and helpful charts.
After lunch RKS ventured to library while RSA enjoyed mindfulness time. Then it was off to log park for creative play, using the dress ups as a tool to deepen play and enrich language communication.
*Pretend play (also known as dramatic play or role play) is critical for developing oral language. Researchers discovered that children engaged in pretend play often use higher forms of language than they would use in normal situations.
In addition, children learn emergent literacy skills during pretend play, specifically learning about the different situations in which reading and writing may be needed. For instance, during pretend doctor play, kids learn that in order to make the patient feel better they must be able to determine what is causing the pain – reading a patient’s chart will help in that regard. Eventually this type of reading gives children authentic motivation to learn reading and writing for age-appropriate purposes. It will be a lot more relevant to write the sign “OPEN” if they pretend they are in a grocery store than if they are asked to write the same word without the context of grocery store. The elements of “fun” and “meaning” are important to unfold the intrinsic learning motivation of children.
* Excerpt from Han, M., Moore, N., Vukelich, C., & Buell, M. (2010) Does Play Make a Difference? and Howes, C., & Wishard, A. (2004). The Roots of reading
Another day full of investigation, wonder and inquiry. See you all tomorrow.
Mrs Sharman