As we learn about basic 2D shapes and their forms we have been exploring different ways to create with shapes. Here is an example of Axel's shape play: "I made a bus". Axel chose to include this piece of work in his portfolio because "It's so many things." Click 'Play Fotobabble' to listen to his description of his work.
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Axel loves playing with language! Often during his free play or eating times he repeats songs and stories that he has heard, changing words and sentences to make new meaning from the text. This skill or activity is called 'Text Innovation' and is an important part of the emergent reading and writing process. Here is a recording that Ms. Alison took of him at the light table, changing the words to 'No More Monkeys':
As our 'How we organize ourselves' unit of inquiry is coming to an end, we are reflecting on all of our experiences and learning and working on "showing what we know". This week, Ms. Alison, Mr. Nathan and Ms. Karla set up a playscape in the playground full of extra equipment and materials to move with. Students participated in free play or movement with the equipment and then sat down with a teacher to explain how and why they move in certain ways. Here is Axel's conference using the 'Explain Everything' iPad app: ) Axel's favourite part of our 'How we organize ourselves' unit of inquiry was when we played soccer on the field as part of our investigation into what exercise is. He decided to include this experience in his portfolio because: "I like to play soccer. You need to run and I love running." ) As emergent writers, we are always taking risks in writing. We are experimenting with sounds and letter formations, as well as pencil grip and different writing tools. As the year continues we are learning to make more and more letter and sound connections to express our ideas through writing. In our journals we do our best to add labels, descriptions, or short stories to our drawings. We also participate in free writing sessions where we write whatever we want for one to two minutes and use the writing centre and class mailbox to communicate through writing during free play.
Here is some of Axel's journal and free writing work. Axel is beginning to understand that we can label pictures with words and experimenting with this in his journal. He is confidently experimenting with the matching the letters he can write with the sounds they make. Axel loved when we played 'Guess What's Next' games with patterns. His favourite was on the Sesame Street website with Cookie Monster.
Axel says this is his favourite game because "the Cookie Monster ate it all." He says this is an example of his best work because "I finished the pattern". Axel's work in this game shows his ability to extend simple patterns. The work below also demonstrates this capacity: When we read the story The Dark by Lemony Snicket, Axel shared a lot of knowledge and theories about darkness and shadows. He also asked many questions. Later in the day and during that week, Axel spent a lot of his free play time retelling the story using the wooden house and other materials provided: Axel chose this work for his portfolio because: "I added the lights".
Ms. Alison agrees that this is an example of Axel's best work from this unit because it demonstrates thorough comprehension of a story and Axel's knowledge of how lights work to illuminate spaces. His work in retelling the story supported further experimentation with light and shadow for himself and also inspired ideas for his classmates. Axel loves the song "No More Monkeys!". When he saw a new book in the classroom library called "Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree", he made a connection by looking at the cover illustration...it must be the same story! So he picked up the book and started reading. Well done Axel! Pretend and Memorized Reading are important steps in emergent reading! This work also shows Axel's ability to be a risk-taker and apply his knowledge in new situations with confidence. This is a watercolour portrait of Axel and his family. Ms. Alison typed on her computer what Axel said about his painting. Both Axel's words and his artwork are now hanging in our classroom.
Ms. Alison chose this piece for Axel's portfolio because it demonstrates Axel's increasing ability to express himself in English as he expands his vocabulary. Axel reflected carefully on what the most special and important things about his family are. He understands that he is connected to his family in many ways that make him who he is as an individual. |