Musings on play, choice and self-direction

At the moment I am on my 2 week break, so I have some time and energy to plan and revamp some of my ideas.
As I read about the Daily 5 and how important it is that children can self direct and choice their learning goals, I made connections with the wonderful Walker Learning Approach. If you're not familiar with it, here is a youtube clip...

Video - what is the Walker Learning Approach?

Here is the official website: http://walkerlearning.com.au/info/

This is only my second year of teaching Prep (the first year of full time schooling in Tasmania) so it's been a steep learning curve, but wow, play is definitely a powerful tool! I have put a lot of effort into it this year by setting up topic based play areas such a post office, and giving children lots of open ended opportunities to play and discover and manipulate materials such a counters, blocks, magnetic letters, playdough and animal counters. It's amazing what the children come up with! I just cruise around the classroom with my camera and record their hilarious conversations!

If you're worried about bosses questioning a dolls house, lego, play kitchen or pirate ship in your classroom and saying that it's not "in the curriculum", well, my answer would be YES, it is! First and foremost, it's literacy! Oral language is CRUCIAL in the early years! The English Curriculum asks for rich, topic based vocabulary and speaking and listening skills.

What do you think? Do you still have time and support to have play-based learning in your classroom?

Curriculum Mapping

I am already thinking about next year! Call me crazy, but I think with all the demands of the new curriculum I need to work smarter and cut out the clutter! So here is what I am currently thinking next year's integrated units will look like. Next year Australian teachers will have to report on Math, English, Science, History and the new subject will be Geography. I will link Geography with Habitats and Weather. Each Term is 10 weeks, so I have planned for 9 weeks to allow for any interruptions. How do you plan for the upcoming year? Do you do the same thing every year or do you change it up a lot?

TERM 1 All about Me (2 weeks) Science - Colours (2 weeks) Science - Oceans (4 weeks) History - My Family (4 weeks)

TERM 2 Science - Australian Animals (3 weeks) Science - Healthy Bodies (3  weeks) History - Life Long Ago (3 weeks)

TERM 3 Fairy Tales (3 weeks) Science – Life Cycles (3 weeks) Science/Geography -Weather (3 weeks)

TERM 4 History - Transport (3 weeks) Science - Habitats (3 weeks) Author Study (children vote)  (2 weeks) Christmas (final 2 weeks)

Online Planning and Assessments

Has anyone used OneNote, Evernote or even the Digital Pensieve for Daily 5 for their planning?

I have just started using OneNote for my planning after attending professional learning session. I am keen to have my files and notes central instead of having so many binders and folders everywhere!

I would love to hear other teacher's experiences!