St.

Johns 4YO Kindergarten

Reflective Practice Journal

Dear Families,
The room has been established with a series of learning centres that evolve in response to the childrens interests, observations made by the team, the children, educators,
co-educators and intentional teaching. In this document you will find a brief description of the learning experiences your children have been exploring. This document also
links to your childs individual portfolio, so please take a moment to follow the prompts and celebrate your childs learning. This week we have placed a big emphasis on the
children voices and option, asking what they would like to see in this fortnights program.
Date of commencement: 14/10/2013
Area: Group times/Intentional teaching Area: Maths/Science/Literacy Area: Cognition
Weve enjoyed discussing a range of topics at
group time this week, and weve heard that
everyone had a wonderful break!
This week we explored the word Expert. We
discussed the thing that the children are all good
at, and found that although we are all good at
different things, we have a class full of experts!




Extension: To continue to engage in discussions that
promote the childrens self esteem and development
of positive relationships with one another.

1.3 Children develop knowledgeable and confident self-
identities
5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for
a range of purposes
3.1 Children become strong in their social and emotional
wellbeing

Both outdoors and indoors this week, the children have
been very busy exploring the concept of shape with
magnetic blocks, learning
about the qualities of 2D
shapes, and combining these
2D shapes to make 3D shapes
through play.

Jack talked about triangles and
learnt that four triangle shapes
make a pyramid.



Extension: Explore the qualities of different shapes at group
times.

4.4 Children resource their own learning through connecting with
people, place, technologies and natural and processed materials
5.4 Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems
work
4.2 Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem
solving,
inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating




This week the children have enjoyed playing the shopping
game. As theyve played this game they have shown their
ability to cooperate and negotiate socially, take turns and
follow the rules of the game.










Extension: Guess Who game.

4.1 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity,
cooperation,
confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination
and reflexivity
4.2 Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem
solving,
inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating
4.3 Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to
another

St. Johns 4YO Kindergarten

Reflective Practice Journal

Area: Creativity and Imagination Area: LOTE Area: Fine Motor Skills
The children have been getting very creative and
imaginative this week, both in the art and craft
area as well as in play with a range of materials.
Outdoors the children cared for the environment
when they built a Snail House (pictured)
working together as they discussed what the
snail might like in its house and deciding on
using blocks, leaves, plants and other natural
materials.

Extension: 1. Imaginative play experience.
2. Marble Painting.

1.4 Children learn to interact in relation to others with care,
empathy and respect
2.4 Children become socially responsible and show respect
for the environment




This week children have enjoyed sharing a variety of
stories in Mandarin with Jane, particularly the popular
Eric Carle book, Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You
See? Jane has been using this book to introduce the
children to learning the names of the animals and colours
in Mandarin. They have been responding really well!










Extension: Continue to explore childrens interest in
different areas.

5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of
purposes
5.4 Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work
5.2 Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these
texts

Recently the children have been exploring a wide range of
materials that encourage fine motor skills such as playdoh,
lego, a variety of art materials, and even creating their very
own books.












Extension: Tap Tap boards with hammers and nails.

For next week Harrison has also requested Mobilo
construction.

4.4 Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place,
technologies and natural and processed materials
Shared Learning
We actively encourage families to provide their feedback and share your childs interests, thoughts and ideas Please email me with any ideas, comment or
discussions happening at home to add to our program.

St. Johns 4YO Kindergarten

Reflective Practice Journal

Reminders, Notes, Upcoming events

Helping Duty Roster
It has been SO VERY wonderful to have family members come in to help out. Even if you can only spare an hour or two, please add your name to the roster!

Facebook
We are now officially Face booked. Please follow us on face book to keep up to date with happenings in your kindergarten.

Please note that we have a student-teacher, Sophie from Monash University with us sporadically from now until late October. Please see the little blurb
attached.
Hats- dust em off for September to kick off Sun smart.




Upcoming events

13 August- Aboriginal Incursion
17th August- 23rd Aug The children's council of Australia book week
26th August SJK winter sleep-out (in conjunction with Melbourne city mission)
please bring a gold coin and wear your PJs
2nd September Fathers/male role model breakfast
17
th
Sept Yarn Strong Sista
22
nd
October- Responsible pet program incursion 11am NEW!
31st October- Halloween
7th November- Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (parent helpers needed)
TBA: Christmas concert and Kindergarten Graduation ceremony


QUOTE OF THE FORTNIGHT:



St. Johns 4YO Kindergarten

Reflective Practice Journal


The following is a description of elements relating to the five Learning Outcomes defined by the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia: Belonging,
Being Becoming (2009)
LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN BIRTH TO 5 YEARS


Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

1.1 Children feel safe, secure, and supported
1.2 Children develop their emerging autonomy, inter-dependence, resilience
and sense of agency
1.3 Children develop knowledgeable and confident self-identities
1.4 Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect


Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world

2.1 Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and
an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary
for active community participation
2.2 Children respond to diversity with respect
2.3 Children become aware of fairness
2.4 Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment


Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

3.1 Children become strong in their social and emotional wellbeing
3.2 Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical
wellbeing


Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners

4.1 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation,
confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination
and reflexivity
4.2 Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving,
inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating
4.3 Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another
4.4 Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place,
technologies and natural and processed materials

Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators
5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes
5.2 Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts
5.3 Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media
5.4 Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work
5.5 Children use information and communication technologies to access information,
investigate ideas and represent their thinking