Elves in Kindergarten!

Let me start by saying that I am so lucky to work at a school that has amazing parental and community support. Our school is so blessed to have such wonderful community involvement. On any given day, parents are helping with the breakfast program, reading with students, organizing the library shelves, washing the lost and found clothes and collecting treasures at home to donate to classes in need. **Insert big virtual hug to all of our parents/guardians who make the school so successful ... we can't do what we do without you**

For example ... My principal posted a message on the school facebook page asking for any extra Christmas supplies, decorations, etc for our Kindergarten class and within just one day ... we had a full-blown Santa's Workshop. In fact, if we wanted to ... we could probably transform our entire Kindergarten class into five separate dramatic play centres: a workshop, a living room with a tree and a fireplace, a sleigh with 8 reindeer, a post-office, a forest to cut down the perfect tree ... etc. You get the idea ;)

I'll keep this post short and I'll show you (instead of telling you) exactly what we've been up to. Keep in mind, it's only been 2 days.

Wrapping presents!

Deciding on what tools he will need ...

This little elf is hard at work making toys!

 This little elf designed her own wrapping paper (drew on white tissue paper), wrote a card, built her toy and wrapped up her gift!

 Busy elves!

Love the dialogue that comes out of the 'dramatic play centre' ...

 

 

Even though it looks like it's all fun and games ... remember that this IS the work of our little ones. From the Kindergarten curriculum document, here are some of the expectations that students achieve while "playing dress up"...

 



Social Development Overall Expectations:                                     

1.    Identify and use social skills in play and other contexts

2.   Demonstrate an ability to use problem-solving skills in a variety of social contexts

3.   Demonstrate a beginning understanding of the diversity in individuals, families, schools and the wider community

 

Specific Expectations:

• 1.1 act and talk with peers and adults by expressing and accepting positive messages ("Oh, thanks for making me this toy, it's great!" "You're welcome, I worked really hard on it.")
• 1.2 demonstrate the ability to take turns in activities and discussions ("When you're done with the hammer, may I please have a turn?")
• 1.3 demonstrate an awareness of ways of making and keeping friends ("So-and-so is my friend. I'm going to make her a card.") 
• 2.1 use a variety of simple strategies to solve social problems ("TEACHER! He grabbed the toy out of her hands!!" "Okay, thanks for telling me ... let's go talk to him.")
• 3.1 develop empathy for others, and acknowledge and respond to each other’s feelings (After someone bumped their head on the workbench ... "Are you okay? That must have really hurt!")
• 3.2 demonstrate respect and consideration for individual differences and alternative points of view ("He said that Santa HAS to come down the chimney but we don't have a chimney. Santa can come through the door too, right?")
• 3.3 talk about events or retell stories that reflect their own heritage and cultural background and the heritage and cultural backgrounds of others ("At my house, we cut down our Christmas tree from a forest then we come home, put it up and have hot chocolate.")

 

The Ipads in the classroom make all of this documentation possible, while capturing pictures and providing proof and evidence for reflection and assessment for learning. But, let's be real ... we really just need a videocamera in the room, angled in every direction to capture ALLLLLL that goes on. It really is amazing.

 

TTFN,

 

                               

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