Online or not... Kindergarten never STOPPED being AWESOME!

With our back to school regime commencing right after our term recess, it is long due that we recognize a few of the hard work a few local educators have been putting up during our school lockdowns. Unlike to what some may think, planning for an online activity in the Early Years setting is harder than it seems because a KGE has to keep in mind important factors such as,

1) Keeping effective timing to grasp maximum attention

2) Making it memorable

3) Plan for it to be age appropriate

4) Be innovative and understanding

5) Having plenty of fun while making it less hassling for guardians.

After taking in some of the backlash educators have been encountering in regards to online schooling, I decided to contact a few individuals who I believe have done a remarkable job throughout the 2 weeks of online schooling. The latter individuals are only a few of the many inspiring educators out there, who of course embraced this challenge with a whole lot of stamina and made sure to empower their students in such hardships. Meanwhile these amazing educators below have agreed to share one out of their many online activities with us, which is an eye opener to us all that YES there are plenty of AWESOME Early Years educators out there who are truly willing to share, share, share.

I of course had my fair share of online teaching and would be sharing with you some of my greatest achievements too in the photos gallery, however take a look at these remarkable educators who took onboard the idea of the necessary need of some local practices that have been successful in making Early Years online lessons memorable for all.

Salt Dough activity by Ms.Daniela Vassallo from Gozo College, Rabat Primary School

All the way from our beautiful sister island Gozo College Rabat Primary school, we have Ms. Daniela Vassallo who is currently teaching a Kinder 1 class. Ms. Vassallo sent in a fascinating activity which enhanced students abilities to showcase ample successes. Although teaching online, Ms.Daniela's class managed to prepare some Salt Dough together during a live session. We can only imagine the fun through such a task especially since the KGE made it meaningful through hands on experiences. It was clear that students attending online sessions with Ms.Daniela Vassallo were not short of adventures and we are positive that with lots of patience, guidance and support the K1 Peacocks were flying by with lots of love and laughter.

Don't take my word for it but here is what Ms.Daniela Vassallo had to say about this experience,

"Children were asked to prepare the ingredients on the day before. When the day came, we did the salt dough together online. Those who couldn’t do it right there and then, did it later. I was very pleased with the photos they sent me when they cooked it. One girl made a star for each one of her classmates! It brought tears to my eyes and I realised more than ever that we’re not just a regular kindergarten class, we’re a family" (Ms.Daniela Vassallo, Gozo College Rabat Primary school, 2021)

Isn't this activity a remarkable one? Doesn't it allow students to be active participants in their own learning journey? A great way to combine online and hands on practices even through a screen. Not only that but, Ms. Vassallo had the opportunity to meet students online for the very first time since schools opened in October. This means that more children gained from such a great opportunity and this show cases a tremendous great teacher dedication who rises up to occasions by simply being open to change and flexibility .

The Mill by Ms.Sylvianne Zammit Cutajar from St.Theresa College Lija-Balzan-Iklin Primary School

Another educator who took the online lessons by storm was none other than Ms. Sylvianne Zammit Cutajar, from St.Theresa College, Lija-Balzan-Iklin Primary School. Not only did Ms. Sylvianne's class continued with the emergent curriculum during their online lessons, but they also incorporated several S.T.E.A.M related activities to flourish their cross curricular. Teaching at Kinder 2 level, Ms. Sylvianne managed to build upon her students love for stories and progress these interests by adapting the online activities into outstanding possibilities. Such example is The Mill which without a doubt is a clear advocate of how you don't need expensive resources to have a strong successful outcomes.

This is what this hard working Early years educator had to say about one of these amazing shared practices,

"During our online learning experiences we embarked on so many wonderful learning experiences as we explored The Little Red Hen theme . One of our activities was designing and building our own mill. The children loved every minute of it as they learnt so much in a fun and playful way". (Ms.Sylvianne Zammit Cutajar from St.Theresa College Lija-Balzan-Iklin Primary School, 2021)

Doesn't this activity make us rethink about how stories can actually come to life? Isn't it remarkable how collaborations can turn into endless possibilities and showcase the positive image of a child through such practices? It is visible how fun and committed these students were to their online learnings and all this would have not been possible without promising work of educators like Ms.Sylvianne Zammit Cutajar.

Provocation of Lines by Ms.Francesca Agius Vadala, from San Anton School

On a slightly different note and unlike the majority of us Early Years educators, Ms.Francesca Agius Vadala, a Kinder 2 educator from San Anton School, has been doing online lessons three times a week since the beginning of this scholastic year (2020/2021). I have been observing some of these activities on their school Facebook page and I simply couldn't have just passed by the opportunity to have such an inspirational educator not be part of this blog. In a blink of an eye, Ms. Francesca quickly responded to the idea of sharing some of her online work and this is what went on in one of the many well thought of online activities. This one in particular was amusing because it consisted of the Provocation of Lines, something which so abstract has been turned into an innovative and creative online activity.

So how can something so vague become a successful online activity? Here is what Ms.Francesca Agius Vadala had to say about this experience,

"I started the activity by sharing a PowerPoint which was shared with me when I followed training during the Summer Months about Virtual teaching with Fairy Dust Teaching. I spoke to the children how a dot taken for a walk makes a line. The children were then invited to take a dot for a walk. We spoke about straight lines, zig zag lines, horizontal and vertical lines. The children were encouraged to use paint or markers to experiment. Once we explored this provocation, I spoke to the children about the artist Piet Mondrian and his famous painting -Die Ideale. The children were then invited to use masking tape to make their very own lines painting. They were invited to stick the masking tape from one side of the paper to the other and then fill about the shapes created with paint.

Parents have so much to contribute to their children's learning and some take it to a whole new level. One of my students went for a walk in a local garden and extended the activity there by looking for different types of lines" (Ms.Francesca Agius Vadala from San Anton School, 2021).

Yes, yes, YES...Hands down one impressive way how to motivate students into embracing such primitive pre-writing skills and advance them into beautiful provocations that lead to more spontaneous growth by simply making it exciting and intriguing. Who knew that such artists can progress anything from a dot? All this and much more done by simply following home schooling through online classes? Where is that time machine to turn back time so I can simply be present in one of Ms.Francesca Agius Vadala's class? I can only imagine the energy behind such an online activity, not to mention the giggles and discussions behind every interpretation.

Cooking Easter Biscuits by Ms.Daniela Vella from St Ignatius Collage, St. Sebastian Primary School, Qormi

Cooking during online lessons in kindergarten? Well Ms. Daniela Vella who is currently teaching Kinder 2 at St Ignatius Collage, St. Sebastian Primary School, Qormi, has proof that it is very possible and not worth a miss! As stated by Ms.Daniela Vella such activities do require parental collaborations but it shows how positive communication is beneficial especially during online sessions. Giving guardians a taste of what goes on in a kindergarten classroom, makes the bond between school and home even stronger, so why not throw an activity to make such sweet celebrations in the comfort of ones home?

Since the pandemic has bestowed several new protocols, having the luxury of cooking in schools has indeed decreased, in order to avoid cross contaminations of course. Understandable indeed, but what Ms. Daniela Vella had done here is simply bring back the joy of baking that we all loved having in class before this pandemic gave everyone a shook up.

Turning a sour scenario into a sweet one, here is how it all went down in Ms.Daniela's online class,

"During this activity my students seemed so excited and eager to prepare their own biscuits. This activity exposed them to the experience of measuring and cutting their ingredients. Moreover, they felt the different textures and learnt how to prepare the dough by using flour, butter, sugar etc… This helped them as well to reinforce their co-ordinations. At the end of the activity the children felt proud and satisfied with their own product." (Ms.Daniela Vella from St Ignatius Collage, St. Sebastian Primary School, Qormi )

Too bad that I am now drooling over this Cooking Easter Biscuits activity! I would have ordered a dozen or two! We all know the benefits that tag along with cooking activities, but thanks to Ms. Daniela Vella we have recaptured a glimpse of the beauty behind it all. Above all, doing it at home with the people we love most is a big bonus, as it shows a clear vision how roles can be reversed when students are given the opportunities to explore beyond the classroom walls. Now where can I subscribe for a pre-order of these tasteful looking bakes?

Floating Egg Science Experiment by Ms.Maria Olivari Demanuele from San Gorg Preca, Valletta Primary School

Scientific experiments did not stop even though school doors closed. Ms.Maria Olivari Demanuele from San Gorg Preca, Valletta Primary School was keen on sharing how her little scientists took on board an egg-citing experiment that made their Live-lessons inquisitive and eggs-tordinary. Ms.Olivari Demanuele managed to expand the students interests and cultural events that were going on during the Easter period, by means of keeping everything age appropriate through hands on opportunities.

I can keep on writing so many fun egg puns to this Floating Egg Science Experiment activity, however all the merit in keeping online lessons effective and meaningful go to educators like Ms.Maria Olivari Demanuele who are not afraid to take the plunge and think outside the box.

Not forgetting about the importance of learning by doing here is what Ms. Maria Olivari Demanuele had to share with us about this successful online live learning event and how we too can try it out,

"This activity focuses on the children’s curiosity to observe, investigate and experiment. Children carefully placed an egg in a glass full of tap water. They observed that the egg sank to the bottom. Then they added salt to the glass and placed the egg again. This time they noticed that the egg floated. The salt water became denser than the fresh water so the egg weighed less. After the experiment children noticed that objects float better in salt water and they compared the experiment to themselves when they swim in the sea and float." (Ms.Maria Olivari Demanuele from San Gorg Preca, Valletta Primary School, 2021)

Simply remarkable how home resources can help us educators in producing effective learning even from the comfort of staying indoors. Ms. Maria Olivari Demanuele also managed to create problem solving scenarios by providing time to not only test the different scenarios but to also sit back and listen into the reasonings, conclusions and own self evaluations of her students. Isn't that what we always do in class? So why make it differ just because we are online? Superb!

Inħobb niekol il-farfett made by Ms.Caroline Gauci from St. Benedict College, Żurrieq Primary School

It is never about just one focal point, and this is exactly what Ms.Caroline Gauci from St. Benedict College, Żurrieq Primary School did with this activity named Inħobb niekol il-farfett. While planning for her online activities with her Kinder 1 class, Ms. Caroline took on board the importance of tackling many factors to broaden the possibility in achieving different learning outcomes. In one of her many online work, she focused on keeping lessons fun and eventful by not only promoting independence skills during a cooking task, but to also incorporate them with healthy eating awareness, pre-maths and above all creativity through language and arts.

Language is an art in itself and Ms.Caroline Gauci made sure that her students got the best of both worlds by applying what they were learning into relatable matters and concrete work. This is how Ms.Gauci explained the practice that went on during one of her students online accomplishments.

"we discussed the letter f and the words frott u farfett. Later we cut the sandwich bread from squares to triangles and used some spread on top. Symmetry was part of the decoration process and we made it a must to decorate both sides the same." (Ms.Caroline Gauci from St. Benedict College, Żurrieq Primary School, 2021)

If this does not scream S.T.E.A.M than I must be living on another planet. The senses around each fruit is science it itself, the use of a knife is primitive technology, the designs of the butterflies are works of mini engineers, the phonological awareness apart from the artistic décor is creative arts all over and last but not least the attention to symmetry, colours, shapes... pre-maths all the way! Online lessons didn't stop Ms.Caroline's class from being pro-active and it shows that even the little ones can overcome anything with the right approach.

Memory game: Who left the picture? made by Ms.Joanne Micallef from Saint Margaret College, Xgħajra Primary School

Taking on board the advantage of having technology, Ms.Joanne Micallef from Saint Margaret College, Xgħajra Primary School, took the time to prepare a fun Memory game for her Kinder 2 class while promoting language development by combining it also with appropriate netiquette. Undeniably children have been exposed to a whole lot more technology during these online lessons, however educators like Ms.Micallef dedicated their time to ensure that such on screen moments are applied in a playful manner. We all have our own treasure hunts, but what Ms.Joanne Micallef did during her online lessons was simply awesome in every sense.

If the pictures are not clear example of what the activity was all about, here is Ms. Micallef explaining all that went on during this Live memory game:

" I gave instructions to the children and asked their guardians to let them look and observe as much as possible. Children participated well and waited for their turn and opened their mikes as per turn. They were enthusiastic and enjoyed the activity as before this activity I introduced the soft toys to the children like Cheeky Bunny and Naughty Duckling, Shabby Sheep and Yellow Chick." ( Ms.Joanne Micallef from Saint Margaret College, Xgħajra Primary School,2021).

Brilliant exposure to social skills coming rightful through an online lesson. Turn taking, being respectful and waiting before switching a microphone. Not only that, but treasure hunts like these not only enhancing cognitive development but opening possibilities for discussions that later promote further vocabulary such as prepositions, adjectives, nouns, verbs and much more. Popping in my head are the sounds of students from Ms.Micallef's classroom, who I can only imagine the excitement they experiences every time their teacher turned a slide or two.

Camping by Charmaine Attard, San Gorg Preca Collehe, Hamrun SS Primary School

As for myself, our outmost favorite and number one, top top top top top was the day when we had a camping trip in our own home! A wholesome day with unspeakable adventures that started from tent pitching, followed by letter recognition that lead us to a sausage cookout, while having lunch under our tents with family and soft furry friends.

The activities posted above are only a small fraction of what Early Years educators did during the past weeks, but these educators I applaud for coming forward in sharing such practices. Thank you goes out to everyone who made the online activities possible and for making sure no child was left out without a smile or a hello. Kudos to all the educators that are dedicated and have a heart of gold and I'm positive with more individuals like yourselves, the world would grow better because you made it matter.

Why was it important for us to share this blog? It is because with all the cons we have faced and all the difficulties we have encountered, at the end of it all we know that we made it work and saw the pros of it all! Everyone took the students interests at heart and as hard as it was for us all, we did it and will keep on doing it from our hearts because we care.