St.

Johns 4YO Kindergarten

Reflective Practice Journal Dear Families, The room has been established with a series of learning centres that evolve in response to the childrens interests, observations made by the team, the children, educators, co-educators and intentional teaching. In this document you will find a brief description of the learning experiences your children have been exploring. This document also links to your childs individual portfolio, so please take a moment to follow the prompts and celebrate your childs learning. This week we have placed a big emphasis on the children voices and option, asking what they would like to see in this fortnights program. Date of commencement: 14/10/2013 Area: Group times/Intentional teaching Area: Maths/Science/Literacy Area: Cognition Weve enjoyed discussing a range of topics at Both outdoors and indoors this week, the children have group time this week, and weve heard that been very busy exploring the concept of shape with This week the children have enjoyed playing the shopping everyone had a wonderful break! magnetic blocks, learning game. As theyve played this game they have shown their This week we explored the word Expert. We about the qualities of 2D ability to cooperate and negotiate socially, take turns and discussed the thing that the children are all good shapes, and combining these follow the rules of the game. at, and found that although we are all good at 2D shapes to make 3D shapes different things, we have a class full of experts! through play. Jack talked about triangles and learnt that four triangle shapes make a pyramid.

Extension: To continue to engage in discussions that promote the childrens self esteem and development of positive relationships with one another.
1.3 Children develop knowledgeable and confident selfidentities 5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes 3.1 Children become strong in their social and emotional wellbeing

Extension: Explore the qualities of different shapes at group times. 4.4 Children resource their own learning through connecting with
people, place, technologies and natural and processed materials 5.4 Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work 4.2 Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating

Extension: Guess Who game.

4.1 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity 4.2 Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating 4.3 Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another

St. Johns 4YO Kindergarten

Reflective Practice Journal Area: Creativity and Imagination The children have been getting very creative and imaginative this week, both in the art and craft area as well as in play with a range of materials. Outdoors the children cared for the environment when they built a Snail House (pictured) working together as they discussed what the snail might like in its house and deciding on using blocks, leaves, plants and other natural materials. Area: LOTE This week children have enjoyed sharing a variety of stories in Mandarin with Jane, particularly the popular Eric Carle book, Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See? Jane has been using this book to introduce the children to learning the names of the animals and colours in Mandarin. They have been responding really well! Area: Fine Motor Skills Recently the children have been exploring a wide range of materials that encourage fine motor skills such as playdoh, lego, a variety of art materials, and even creating their very own books.

Extension: Continue to explore childrens interest in different areas. Extension: 1. Imaginative play experience. 2. Marble Painting.
1.4 Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect 2.4 Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment 5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes 5.4 Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work 5.2 Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts

Extension: Tap Tap boards with hammers and nails. For next week Harrison has also requested Mobilo construction.
4.4 Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies and natural and processed materials

Shared Learning We actively encourage families to provide their feedback and share your childs interests, thoughts and ideas Please email me with any ideas, comment or discussions happening at home to add to our program.

St. Johns 4YO Kindergarten

Reflective Practice Journal

Reminders, Notes, Upcoming events

Helping Duty Roster It has been SO VERY wonderful to have family members come in to help out. Even if you can only spare an hour or two, please add your name to the roster! Facebook We are now officially Face booked. Please follow us on face book to keep up to date with happenings in your kindergarten.

Please note that we have a student-teacher, Sophie from Monash University with us sporadically from now until late October. Please see the little blurb attached. Hats- dust em off for September to kick off

Sun smart.

Upcoming events
13 August- Aboriginal Incursion 17th August- 23rd Aug The children's council of Australia book week 26th August SJK winter sleep-out (in conjunction with Melbourne city mission) please bring a gold coin and wear your PJs 2nd September Fathers/male role model breakfast th 17 Sept Yarn Strong Sista nd 22 October- Responsible pet program incursion 11am NEW! 31st October- Halloween 7th November- Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (parent helpers needed) TBA: Christmas concert and Kindergarten Graduation ceremony

QUOTE OF THE FORTNIGHT:

St. Johns 4YO Kindergarten

Reflective Practice Journal

The following is a description of elements relating to the five Learning Outcomes defined by the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia: Belonging, Being Becoming (2009) LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN BIRTH TO 5 YEARS Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world
2.1 Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation 2.2 Children respond to diversity with respect 2.3 Children become aware of fairness 2.4 Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment

Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

1.1 Children feel safe, secure, and supported 1.2 Children develop their emerging autonomy, inter-dependence, resilience and sense of agency 1.3 Children develop knowledgeable and confident self-identities 1.4 Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect

Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

3.1 Children become strong in their social and emotional wellbeing 3.2 Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing

Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners

4.1 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity 4.2 Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating 4.3 Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another 4.4 Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies and natural and processed materials

Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators

5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes 5.2 Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts 5.3 Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media 5.4 Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work 5.5 Children use information and communication technologies to access information, investigate ideas and represent their thinking