CELC

 

Throughout term 4, the children have participated in project investigations within each of the rooms which have extended on their interests throughout the day.  The teachers are using Project books to document and record the children’s discussions, work samples and the extension experiences planned by the teachers. These are on display in the foyer.

Dinosaur Investigations

A curiosity about dinosaurs sparked an investigation in the Navy group. This began with the question from one of the children, “How did dinosaurs hunt?” 

The children shared their own theories and ideas, before researching facts from sources including the internet and reference books.

The children’s curiosity about dinosaurs quickly grew and their questions increased. These questions included:

Where did the dinosaurs live? 

What did the dinosaurs look like? 

When did dinosaurs become extinct? 

Could a dinosaur poke out its tongue?

Would a dinosaur fit in the classroom?

How did the dinosaurs become extinct?

Over the last few weeks, the teachers have continued to be led by the children’s questions about dinosaurs to guide their research and experiences. The children have drawn their own representation of dinosaurs, constructed a dinosaur world, built a dinosaur using recycled materials and continually led the inquiries into dinosaurs.

The teachers have recorded the children’s participation in the project by documenting the children’s ideas, questions and experiences in the project books (which have been on display in the foyer.)

This extended project investigation has supported the children’s understanding of how to acquire new information from a variety of sources; supported the development of their listening skills as they listened to their peers’ thoughts and ideas about dinosaurs; facilitated their emerging literacy understanding as they recorded the project in the daybook with the teachers each day; supported their curiosity by encouraging inquiries into their questions formulated.

Design, Draw, Create!

The children in Teal have been exploring clay as a medium to create a variety of sculptures. Firstly, they selected images they were interested in, then drew their own representation of the image before creating this in 3D form with the clay. 

This was a great experience for the children to explore the physical properties of clay as well as developing an understanding of steps in the design and create process.

Miss Scicluna created mini portfolios which included photos of the children’s inspirations for their sculptures, drawings of their designs and the finished product.

Manage Self

To support the children’s self regulation and understanding of their emotions, Ms Burns has led an inquiry into the different parts of the brain. This has included discussions about each part of the brain and the role it has in helping manage and express our emotions. 

The children watched a video Just Breathe which prompted discussions on our feelings and behaviours that we can show when we are feeling angry or sad. Following this, the children made a “Glitter jar” which represented their brain. When the glitter is shaken in the jar, our feelings are unsettled and move around the jar, but with deep slow breaths, the glitter settles to the bottom of the jar, just as our emotions can with slow deep breathing.

We are using the glitter jar throughout the day. This has helped the children to slow down and regulate their emotions at different times, as well as supporting their labelling of their emotions.

Mrs Joanne Tapley

Director - Catholic Early Learning Centre (CELC).