My Top 10 picks (2022-2023)

Yearly I go down memory lane and look through the gazillion activities we did. Although we do so much FUN ones I pick my own personal favourite and try my best in categorising them according to my preference. By all means this does not necessarily be what others feel however this is my personal choice and my picks for this past scholastic year in Kinder 2.1 (2022-2023).

Number 10: The Potion Shop

In the beginning I was sceptic about how I would go about into providing a fun creative play space for my students, with a topic that has so much versatility. So I opened my cupboards and saw the ample loose parts resources I have locked up. I then puzzled up the pieces and gave my students an opportunity to make a potion shop while allowing them to mix things up however they please. Yes it got messy however it also gave students a chance to improve their cognitive skills during clean up too. There was so much growth observed from this that it reminded me how beautiful loose parts are for creative play.

Number 9: Tasting Food from around the World

As part of our school Multicultural Day activities, we embarked somewhat on a different exploration than others. Instead of hitting the globe through videos, presentations or drawings, we used our senses to learn more about what the world can offer. We were assigned the European continent so we embarked this task using gastronomy as our muse. There were plenty of yays and nays but all in all it was so much fun that we forgot all about dismissal too.

Number 8: Elfie and Elvie

These two gave me nightmares every early mornings but they caused beautiful havock making the students eager to look out for them daily wherever they were hiding. They provided a sense of joy and wonderful mischief that reminds me how innocent and humble young children can actually be. Yes I won't forget about the countless times I almost forgot to move them around but that is what I signed up for and luckily I had amazing co-workers who looked out for them too.

Number 7: The Gramophone

Although I had my teaching practice tutor present on that day, this has to be my number 7 favourite because I truly appreciated how much students were into this vintage musical resource. Yes I had to beg my husband to let me take it to school but since my students have been taught about boundaries, I was so proud to witness first hand how much they truly understand and care about what we discuss together. The gramophone intrigued the learners so much that while they decorated their Christmas tree, they knew how to wind up and pin the record with gentle and care, giving the classroom a vintage vibe and calmness like never before.

Number 6: The Ambulance Visit

I had a hunch this was going to be a fun one however I never anticipated how much interestingly fun it actually would be! The two first responders were so efficient, calm and collective that they allowed us to take an extremely close look at all the emergency features inside and outside the ambulance. It provided students (and us adults too) a sense of comfort, relief and appreciation in which during hard situations one would forsee when on-board an ambulance. Of course the infamous "Ni-No-Ni-No" of the sirens were the perfect ending to this visitation. It is not a place I would ever want my students to be in, however now they are familiar to what is inside the ambulance incase of any emergency.

Number 5: Visiting Radio 105 in Ħamrun

Speaking of visits, how can I ever forget the mesmerising experience at Radio 105? Students got the chance to visit a radio station within their locality and see first hand how music, adverts, interviews are produced and transmitted on air. They enjoyed sitting down on the white VIP chairs and visit backstage in the studio where recordings commence. All in all this deserved a spot as a top 5 on my list because it is something which I didn't think it would be possible but I am pleased how it truly turned out at the end. We also got invited to visit and perform later on during the following weeks to which students were aware that everytime we visited Daniel's shopping complex, on the top floor there was the radio station. Memorable visits are marked in our lives.

Number 4: Analysing the Aftermath

Although I was not present during the visit as I was sick, I am so grateful for my colleagues into keeping up with the original plan and took my students to see first hand the aftermath of the infamous fire which broke down a prominent landmark in our city. Students were so struck by the fire of the Hamrun Kiosk that they wanted to explore. Hence what better way to investigate the matter by being on site. This allowed students to clearly identify the surroundings and it's current dangers while pinpointing the obvious change. It was remarkable to hear their experiences after I returned from my sick leave which is why it is confirmed a spot on this list.

Number 3: Baby Stefano

How can I forget the joy baby Stefano brought to our classroom during an upfront and very personal show and tell experience for one of my students. While investigating the project "Babies" we had a VIP visitor join our classroom and it helped learners into integrating in a totally phenomenal learning opportunity. Not all students have baby siblings, cousins, friends or relatives, so when we got the opportunity to actually have a real live crawling, babbling and giggling baby to our disposal we could definitely not refuse. It was a heartwarming bonding experience for everyone and will cherish this experience for eternity.

Number 2: The X-Maker experience

When Mr. Claus Konrad from Headstart Technology Limited approached me into the possibility of introducing a 3D printing experience to my students, I did not hesitate into saying Yeah! I undoubtedly believe that this technology provided so much growth in my students mindset. So much so it took us a course of more than 3 weeks of fun explorations not just by using the X-Maker 3D printer but also beyond. Experiences that integrated playdough, role-play and so much more. So grateful for this opportunity because the oohhss and ahhhss of this resource are still ones to talk about till this present day.

Number 1: The Puppy Meal

Undoubtedly the giggles of this day is imprinted in my heart forever. We started by washing, counting, boiling, peeling and mashing potatoes however the actual fun was simply eating them. We didn't just eat them on a table, we did role-play. Hence we put a placemat on the floor with a plate for water and mashed potatoes in another, inspired by how puppies eat and drink. Slurpy drools, face palms in plates and by all means giggles, giggles and more giggles. They were having so much fun that time flew by so quickly making the day seem shorter than it actually was. Innovative fun plays like these are always my favourite, not because of it's originality nor is it because we move away from our chairs, but because they meant something on that particular day and made students have a great ending to their day.

I can assure you there were so many more incredible moments from our scholastic year such as the monster farewell party, the time the producers of "Il-Mara" paid us a visit, the time we painted upside down etc etc. However these have been the top 10 on my list for the last scholastic year 2022-2023. I look forward into seeing which ones were yous.