Learning Across the ELC

Learning in Preschool

This Term or Preschool children have been developing a Culture of Care. In Preschool Blue we have been connecting to our community through the Loreto Fishpond, visiting the fishpond regularly and recording our observations in drawings and photography. The children shared many curiosities about the statue and wonderings about who looks after the fish and feeds them, so we began to investigate. Some children were interested in the physical features of the pond, using clay and wire to sculpt their pond representations. Some children were interested in the water and concerns for rubbish getting into the pond.

We learned more about the statue of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus that the children said, "protect the fishies" and we also engaged the children in conversations and interactions with our Groundskeeper Shane. Shane has provided us with knowledge about the pond and some fish food so we could feed the fish, this was a very exciting moment for everyone.

We were able to link our 'culture of care' interests to Science Week, by testing water samples for the people and animals we care about. On different days we collected samples from the Fishpond, First Creek and our drinking water tap. The children were using pipets to collect water samples then squeezing their samples into a tube. We then carried the samples back to our classroom to dip testers in, for a colour analysis. The children predicted what colour the strip sections would turn and if they thought the water was safe. They visually noticed subtle differences in the water samples and recorded the data. We connected this learning to the UN Global Goals #6 Clean Water and Sanitation, and #12 Responsible Consumption.

After watching a video about three plastic water bottles taking vastly different journeys (ending up in landfill, the ocean, and being recycled), the children connected learning back to their concerns of rubbish getting into our Fishpond or First Creek. This started an investigation into our Loreto bin system and a landfill experiment. We collected some of our lunch waste and put it in a tub to imitate a landfill dump, we then added water like the rain in the video to see what happened to the water. At the end of the week, we took some samples and tested the wastewater. The children noticed colour and smell differences of the water and declared it "poison" like the polluted water in the video. They then problem solved together to determine where the water should be disposed of so that no wildlife or environment would be harmed… They agreed that putting it in the toilet was the best and safest solution "for the water to get cleaned."