Exploring & Investigating Shapes

We just finished up exploring 2D and 3D shapes in our classroom. Here is a little glimpse of the activities that the students were involved in during this time. Although this was our focus the past month, throughout the year the students are constantly playing with shapes, exploring shapes, and using shapes each day in our classroom.


Building with 3D blocks
We simply set out a basket full of 3D wooden shapes on a table with a book about shapes in the centre and let the children explore on their own. They built things like houses, towers, cars, trains, etc. with the blocks. One student in particular who struggles to play at activities without the encouragement of the teacher and ECE would eagerly play at this table on his own and use all the blocks to build his creations.  

Creating pictures with 2D shapes

Exploring shape dominoes
I have to admit that I had no idea what these wooden domino-like shape blocks were all about but I found them in a spare cupboard and figured the children could find a variety of ways to use them if they were put out. It was so neat to see the students use their imaginations and creativity to come up with games and ways to play with them while using 2D math language.

3D tower
The students were asked to bring in a variety of 3D shapes from home that can be reused such as; cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, tissue boxes etc. Each day they were brought in to the classroom the students were so excited to paint the shape they had brought in. After they were all dry it was up to the children what they wanted to build with the variety of shapes. Most of the kids built towers, while another had built a rocket ship.

Growing Plants Investigation

This winter has been brutally cold here in Ontario and the thought of spring arriving couldn't come fast enough! When the kids showed an interest in learning about growing plants I could not be any happier for us to create a spring-like atmosphere in our classroom during the frigid month of February! To start off our "growing plants investigation", we decided to plant something simple, grass seeds in a cup. 

Intro to showing how to grow grass in a cup
Before growing our own grass seed we showed the students an example on the Smart Board from online that had step by step instructions on how to grow grass in a cup with pictures to boot. I love how the title was called "A Cup of Spring". That is exactly what we need in our classroom during this deep freeze we are experiencing this winter!

Materials to grow grass
We had potting soil,  a bag of grass seed, spray bottle with water, clear plastic cups,  stickers, googly eyes, and markers to decorate their own cups.

Planting our grass seeds
I think their favourite part was getting right into the dirt! The kids absolutely love being the ones to put their own soil in their cups!

Decorating their grass seed cups and planting the seeds
After putting the soil in their cups they put a scoop full of grass seeds, making sure to spread them out, cover with a bit of soil, and then spray with water.

Class grass seed under the indoor garden stand
Each student has their own decorated cup under the light. They were so excited when I had first wheeled the indoor garden stand into the classroom. They weren't quite sure what exactly it was and had so many questions, but now that they are growing their own grass and learning about the importance of light when growing plants, they have a much better understanding of what purpose it serves to our indoor garden and investigation on growing plants.

Watering their own grass seed cups
Each morning every child is responsible for watering their own grass when they come into the classroom. Not only are they learning about how plants grow but they are also learning valuable lessons about the importance of taking care of things and being responsible. It's astonishing to see how capable and competent they are at such a young age. You should have seen the excitement when they arrived one morning (about 1 week after planting their seeds) to see that some green grass had sprouted!

Science & discovery table plant book display
Right now during our Growing Plants Investigation, we have some plant books (both fiction and non-fiction) on display at the science table for the students to look through, to ask questions about and to maybe spark some more interest and curiosity from them. One thing my students enjoy doing is putting on the black rimmed glasses and using the magnifying glasses available at the centre when browsing through the books (now those are some real scientists if I have ever seen any!!)!

Shared reading and read aloud books
Our shared reading during the first week of our investigation was "Somebody Cared for a Flower". This book really showed the class the importance of caring for our environment and how one small act can encourage others to do the same and can make a big impact on the world around them. Besides this deep lesson embedded in the book, the simple steps to what a flower needs to grow is also learned from this text. "Plant Life Cycles" is a non-fiction text that we usually read from each day as our read aloud and each time we learn a new fact about growing plants we add it to our KWL chart at the science table under "New Information" column.



Our new class plant a "Money tree"

Science & Discovery table

Planting flowers in our garden sensory bin

Painting our indoor garden area
We decided after a class vote to call our indoor class garden "Rainbow Gardens".  A few of the students here are painting the dramatic play area with flowers, trees, butterflies, etc.

 

My FDK Classroom Set Up (Reggio Inspired)



Setting up a Reggio inspired classroom has taken time, some creativity, and a little bit of research! Over the summer I went online to research what a Reggio Emilia school is all about, what other Reggio inspired classrooms look like, as well as attended a couple workshops that the school board had to offer about the environment being the third teacher. Pinterest is one of my best friends this school year! I think most FDK teachers will admit they have a little "pinning" addiction... I will be the first to confess that I absolutely have an addiction to pinning! As far as finding wicker baskets, wooden bowls, curtains, etc. to create a calm environment in your class, garage sales are the way to go! So one of my best pieces of advice is to save up your quarters, commit to getting up early on Saturday mornings while lugging your baby in and out of the car seat, so you can find that amazing deal on those perfect natural items that are going to complete your Reggio Inspired classroom! 

 

Math Discovery Table

The math discovery table is a place where the children can use a variety of materials and items to learn more about math related concepts. It is set up in a way that the children can explore and investigate the items while reinforcing or developing their mathematical skills. There are school math manipulatives available such as; a scale, pattern blocks, plastic 2D shapes, dice, geometric dominoes, measuring tapes, etc. There are also "found materials" or "beautiful stuff" presented in clear jars and wooden bowls. Some found materials include; glow sticks, cotton balls, clothes pegs, straws of various lengths, marbles, coloured popsicle sticks, toothpicks, etc. It is amazing to see how the children can create patterns, count out objects, and develop an understanding of measuring, along with other math concepts, from easily accessible and inviting materials.

 

 

Round Table Area

The round table area is a cozy spot in the corner of the room where two classmates (or even more can pull up a chair and join!) are able to simply eat lunch together, socialize, write on the chalkboard, use the magnetic letters or numbers, and even play a game of Go Fish! There are so many opportunities for learning at this little area and it is just a nice spot to hang out, get to know friends, and to have fun! Isn't that what school is all about?!

Book Nook Area




Art Centre
As you can see the art supplies are easily accessible for the children. During their play based learning times they are free to use any of the items presented to them at the art centre. This lends hand to the children feeling comfortable to explore and to create their own pieces of artwork!

Documentation Board outside our classroom in the school hallway. Displaying documentation is an excellent opportunity for the students to share what they are learning with their peers,  parents, and other educators. 



Using found objects to create colour collages.

Self-portraits using charcoal sticks and mirrors that are displayed with a bamboo stick hanging from the ceiling with yarn.