The Sandbox!

I love the Full Day Kindergarten Program!!! Professionally, I have lived, breathed and witnessed how truly amazing this approach to teaching our youngest learners can be. I have observed children who are focused, excited to learn, eager to ask questions, and happy to embrace new friendships. I have been blessed to work with teachers who teach with heart and who have embraced the vision for this program wholeheartedly. To learn more about my team, please read more here.

This quote was provided to Shirley Silva and I for our website by Charles Pascal. His words truly captures the expectations of the team and in turn the benefits to the child, the families and the program:

“Your website reflects the kind of teamwork expected of the ECE/Teacher partnership. Founded on mutual respect for the equal and complementary gifts that each of you brings to the sandbox, you are creating something bigger than the the sum of these gifts for the sake of the kids. Your understanding of genuine play-based, curiosity driven pedagogy is also critical to the future success of the children. Your leadership is inspiring.”

This quote inspired the name chosen for this portion of the blog, The Sandbox.

In the weeks to follow, sample curriculum plans/templates will be shared for all those teaching in FDK. This program is NOT meant to be prescribed, and should always follow the lead of the child when planning for learning in the classroom. With that said, those new to FDK might benefit from a “springboard” to begin, others just may want ideas and suggestions. The link to the expectations is the exciting part!! All educators will love seeing how overall and specific expectations can be planned for and seen, observed, and documented through the play and the inquiry! The curriculum plans/templates provided will support planning, provide accountability and aid in writing and sharing report cards. All overall and specific expectations shared in The Sandbox templates are taken from The Ontario Full Day Kindergarten Program document.

When using these the curriculum plans, it is important to remember:

Ideally, children in FDK have free choice to learn and play where they choose within the playroom and outdoor learning space.
Educators must take the time during play to move throughout each learning area. Take the time to interact, listen, observe, ask questions (when appropriate), scaffold and extend learning.
Know your learners and provide various entry points for all to engage.
Remember, play and inquiry should be the primary approach for gathering group and individual assessments.

Keys to a successful playroom:

Expect noise! However, when the children are presented a learning environment that is stimulating and engaging, the noise will sound more like a busy hum. However, when the noise gets too loud, the children seem to be disengaged and the play has no purpose (e.g., running around, throwing toys, etc.), take a good look at the classroom. Evaluate what learning spaces are not working, where the children are not playing and change up the environment! Add something new and follow their lead!
Plan ahead! If one educator is invested and involved in a valuable learning opportunity, the other educator circulates and helps children to problem solve, find and discover materials they may be asking for that will enhance their play/learning.
Attempt to gain as much assessment as possible during play and inquiry experiences, however realistically some children may need to be pulled aside to gain further insight into their current understanding. If you find you need to pull children aside, keep it short! Also, call on these children before they become involved and invested in their play/learning.
Less is more!!!! Some children may need to learn how to use the materials found in the classroom. Take the time to teach the children what and how toys and manipulative can be purposefully used. While children are exploring new materials, start with just a few pieces, add more while children are using them, and tidy up appropriately.
Share resources with other FDK classrooms. Ask your administration if there are any storage areas within your school to store resources and materials not being used. Educators can then go to this space each week to gather new materials to add to or change up centres.
Note: No themes. Remember classrooms are interest led. Plan for all learners.

For more information please visit Inquiry and Play

The Planning Template:

**Please note, the templates used have been created using Google Forms. To access and use forms you must have a Google account.

**To save your file and/or print, please select all, copy content and paste into your own new Google Drive document.Do not hit “Submit” button at end of form.

****The Joy of Spring: Plants and 3D Shapes****

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and feedback! 😊

Click link below to assess file;

The Sandbox: Curriculum Plans ( #1)

* Before moving forward, take a moment and think about what you heard the children saying, what you observed the children doing, what questions they had about what they were exploring. How can you extend this learning further. Think about creating a “wonder wall” that captures student voice (their questions, their wonderings, what they know.)