Term 1
Healthy Eating
For term 1, the Kindergarten 1 children covered exercise as a topic, as it fit into the overarching theme of a healthy lifestyle. Throughout the term, the children engaged in numerous physical activities such as relay matches, ball games and team sports, where they were able to experiment with different types of physical activity and exercises to find out what they best enjoyed, while also developing their fine and gross motor skills. They were able to also develop their social, communicative and teamwork skills through these games, therefore aiding in their overall holistic development.
Term 2
Friends and Family
For term 2, the theme covered by the Kindergarten 1 children was Friends and Family, and in the process, learning more about the people around them and how they made an impact on their lives. Children were able to express their appreciation for their caregivers by creating a letter/art piece, and show appreciation for the friends in school. They were able to develop socio-emotional skills and increased self-awareness.
Term 3
Rainforest Animals
For Term 3, the children explored the topic of Rainforest Animals, and learnt about various aspects of animals, such as habitats, diet, and lifestyle. They were able to gain an in-depth look into the various groups of animals that habitat the Rainforest, ranging from mammals and reptiles, to insects and other invertebrates, and learn how they coexist and form an ecosystem. Children also had the opportunity for hands- on work and creative expression, by working together collaboratively with their classmates to create a camouflage pattern for animals.
Term 3 Lesson Overview
Rainforest Animals
Lesson Rationale
Why was this lesson crafted?
Children have been exploring the different types of animals in the Rainforest, as well as their way of life and habits. As such, the lesson was planned to allow them to explore how camouflage can be applied by animals, to give them a more in-depth look into the lives of animals.
Lesson Objectives
What we hope for the children to be able to accomplish by the end of the lesson.
Objective #1
Children will be able to work together collaboratively with their classmates to accomplish the stated task.
Objective #2
Children will be able to identify the concept of “camouflage” and apply it in their artworks through the use of patterning.
Term 3 Lesson Video
For this lesson, the children were tasked with working collaboratively with their classmates to create their very own camouflage pattern. In this lesson, facilitation was employed to encourage self-confidence in the children and allow them to familiarise themselves with the materials. Next, guidance techniques were employed to stimulate conversations and create opportunities for socio-emotional development in children. Lastly, scaffolding was also used to faciliate cognitive development in children and allow them to learn from their more capable peers.
Teaching Techniques Presented
Facilitation
Facilitation was used in order to build on children's interests, while ensuring that children were provided sufficient materials and a optimal learning environment to complete the task. Children were allowed to familiarise themselves with the materials in order to build their confidence and ensure that they were able to use them independently
Guidance
Guidance was used to aid children in order to stimulate socioemotional development and help children make responsible decisions and think about how their decisions impact others. Through the use of guidance, the educator was able to get the children to take the perspective of others and understand how others felt when certain words were used, as well as accept the opinions of others and work collaboratively.
