Kinder 2.1: Top 10 moments of scholastic year 2020-2021.

I start penning down my yearly reflection and somehow I managed to narrow down my top 10 activities from last scholastic year. It doesn't mean that other events simply don't make the cut for being weak, boring or unpleasant. I like to rate my top 10 activities every year as it gives me a sense of reflective practice to look back at what went right, how to move forward and how I can improve. Some activities I may have repeated year after year while others were totally new. So without further adieu, shall we begin?

Reflective Bubbles

Number 10: The Ozobot

You don't need to be computer savvy to do this activity. On the contrary it will actually help one become more intact with digital competencies including us adults. During this activity students were investigating the movement of robots. Through their inquiry on the ROBOTS theme, they have mentioned several moving aspects but they couldn't understand how they actually do it in reality. Coding is something I have learnt by trail and error. I am no mega nerd about it (although I wish I was) but somehow I know how coding works in the Early Years. We started with the unplugged directions, mainly focusing on responding to commands such as forward, backward, turn left and turn right. Now let me get this straight, unplugged coding didn't start from the Ozobot inquiry, but from previous projects. Speaking of the Ozobot, the previous unplugged coding activities were reinforced with this tiny moving blob. The children drew a map for the Ozobot to maneuver. They created problems and tested them, reflected about the mistakes and made necessary arrangements. Cross curricular at it's best while pleasing the digitally pleasing explorers.

Number 9: Weaving Mural

I have always loved making use of the resources around me and last year I had to make it a priority even more. Our school was (and still is) going under renovation. Throughout almost the whole scholastic year our playground was decreased in perimeter by a few meters to keep our wee ones out of danger. Immediately these big fences caught our interest. We never had them before and they screamed "explore me" all over! So we did! Threading through made weaving exploration simply fun. Up, down, round, left, right, and repeat. Not only did this activity boost our yard with a bit of colour but it also served as a purpose for Carnival photo opp in the end! The colours, the wind, the sheer playfulness of it all....What is not to like?

Number 8: Giant Pizza Party

Who knew Pizza could be ever so fun? Back after my 2 weeks sick leave, I was even more energized to get back on track with the munchkins and continue where we left of...having FUN! During our theme "Buon Apetito", students showed massive interest in Italian cuisines in particular the magnificent Pizza. Innovative and spontaneous activities like this one is a must have on the top 10 countdown because they remind me of days to let loose, be free and enjoy the moment! The messy Pizza turnovers was even much more intriguing than the application! "Viva la Mess", they chanted. I wouldn't have done this activity any other way and it would be something to remember for quite some time now.

Number 7: Pitch a Tent

Lockdown struck again for my second scholastic year in a row. Bummed about it or not we still persevered through it all and moved forward with all that we could. My team was extraordinary. They were prepared, focused and fully immersed into our play, however this S.T.E.A.M tent pitching activity was truly outside the box. Discussing sleeping arrangements with our theme "zzz..." we came across the idea of sleeping outdoors under the stars. Pretend play is a must have at all costs even if it involves using home furniture and change the home décor. From shabby chic tents to military gazebos, you name it we had it and that is why number 7 is dedicated to a total "bam bam thank you mam" kind of play!

Number 6: Exploring Air

How can you expect children to learn about an element that is not visible unless they explore beyond what the naked eye can see? This was one mega outstanding experiment that made children enjoy and learn the concept of air easier than teaching 1,2,3. Grabbing transparent plastic bags and simply getting hold of some air with a little bit of enthusiasm and excitement made this day a mark on our theme "wings". Not only that but it gave a reassurance to students who also feared the sound of air popping out of balloons. I gave them a reason to understand what goes on inside the balloon and why the popping sound occurs. I provided ample of opportunities for children to release and catch air while not forgetting play along throughout such inquiry.

Number 5: Ice-Cream Play

What better way to explore ice-cream if not through our senses? Mind you NO one tasted the ice-cream but their creativity was top notch Master class skills. Cold, messy, sticky and innovative. Their play was fully submitted into all sort of development. The schemas kept increasing, the types of play got enforced. What is not to like from this activity? The mess you might wonder? Well let's just say they cleaned up pretty well, leaving no traces for ants to follow on. Must do a repeat of this some other day.

Number 4: Candy World

Beating any traditional Christmas tree decorations, we went over and above this one. We using vanilla frosting, turned it green and let children decorate a magical Christmas candy world like no one has ever seen before. The sheer joy and simplicity of letting children experiment freely will forever be outstanding in any shape and form. It took our "sweets" theme to another level of love for teaching and learning. The creations were spectacular and each different from the other. I will let the pictures speak for themselves to why a number 4 spot was merited.

Number 3: Pompeii story

From Italian cuisine to the Roman Empire. "The Floor is Lava", theme have taken us to different eras, localities and tested our intelligence, knowledge and thirst of learning beyond the common stories. Volcano eruptions, Lava flowing, small world play and all this through the interest of a game which have expanded the boundaries of what learners are capable of achieving in a short amount of time when they are forefront with their own learning. The story of how Mount Vesuvius destroyed the lost city of Pompeii was too intriguing to simply do at one go. Therefore we explored for days on different ways how to enhance it through play by building our own volcanoes, small world play, creating a museum for archeologists and so much more.

Number 2: Special Delivery

This activity gave me both criticism and praise outside my school community. Some thought I was being careless while other thought it was genius. In my defense it was neither both and I did not break any protocols nor put my students life in jeopardy. A guardian from our school owns a restaurant (La Giara restaurant) and we were blessed with the opportunity to have something done to conclude out theme of "Buon Apteito" with a bit of a bang while treating our mama's for mothers day. It was a delivery service just like when someone orders from home, work etc but I don't need to stick up for anything because frankly the students loved it from start to finish. We looked at the menu, calculated the costs, phoned the restaurant (one by one), placed our order and waited for the delivery to commence (before dismissal). No harm done in a little bit of fun and this would be a definite repeat in my books. Don't take my word for it...See the video below!

Number 1: Trashing the classroom

We have just moved into our brand newly refurbished classroom and the Carnival dance is right around the corner. The last thing I needed was to choregraph and synchronize any sort of dance. I am not a huge fan of such dances. Creative arts is more than just dancing on stage, so with such school activities I tend to try and push the boundaries and create something out of nothing. This was a mega, mega, mega, mega fun project. I can't remember how the concept popped into my mind but most probably I was just simply tiered after moving three times in one scholastic year that I literally wanted to let loose myself. See the results and let me know if you too think this activity deserved a rightful placing at number 1. Now sit Back and enjoy this very cute Messy play video to brighten up your hot summer days and remind you how beautiful Life in Kindergarten truly is!