Nurturing Learning Disposition; Appreciation

Apart from gaining knowledge through thematic and Montessori learning, children also learnt about PRAISE (Perseverance, Reflectiveness, Appreciation, Inventiveness, Sense of wonder & curiosity, and Engagement.

In the month of November, children learnt about being appreciative. 

A few sets of painting (abstract work) were printed out and displayed randomly in the class.

Children were grouped of 2s or 3s and had to go around observing the artwork.

There children were in a vertical group (K1s & K2s) and they had to discuss about the artwork.

Appreciation
Children with a sense of appreciation recognise that everyone has different and unique qualities. They listen to the views of others and show respect for them.  

 

The children were engaged in discussing the details of the abstract artwork with each other. They were encouraged to speak their own view of the abstract art with their partners.

: Abstract art uses a visual language of shape, form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world.

Thereafter, children were assigned to do their own abstract art. Look at how busy they were! Once they were done, they showed their abstract artwork to their friends. Apart from appreciating each others' artwork, children also learnt that they have to be respectful when others were presenting their work.

These were some of the abstract artwork done by our young artists, the Kindergarten children!

Insects, Insects Everywhere!

Look at all the collections we have made after a walk around our neighbourhood! The dried leaves, twigs and some dried fruits. What are we going to do with all these you may wonder? 

We will like to take the opportunity to let children look for insects where they may have hands-on experience to catch or observe it! They have realized that insects are mainly found in places where there are soil and in dark quiet areas.

Look at what we have found! A live caterpillar! They were all very curious to take a look at how it moves.

After that, they all had to draw whIch insect they will like to create with the things that they have picked earlier. It is through planning before they decide what should be use for the 3 body parts of the insects and other details if they will like to add on.

Let's go for another insect hunt! We may spend some time with the nature and enjoy it's beauty!

Anthill Jelly Popsicle!

Have you ever seen how an Anthill looks like? 

Well, the children are going to make one and show you now! 

Ingredients required:

Konniyaku jelly

Brown food colouring

Wholemeal biscuits

Raisins

Gummy worms (optional)

After the water is boiled, place the jelly and mixed it with brown food colouring. With carefulness, the children are allowed to pour it into the popsicle holder. It definitely helps in their fine motor skill by balancing the jug and aiming it well while pouring it.

Before preparing the mixture of jelly, the children shall do some pounding of the biscuits into small crumbs so that it could be added to create the 'soil effect'. Through this activity, they learnt that from a round piece of biscuit, the shape could be changed with the strength of their hands by pounding it.

Look at how focused they are! Pound, pound, pound, pound, pound and pound!

Let me taste the biscuit crumbs! I couldn't wait! Yummy yummy!

Let us add the ants and a few worms to accompany them.

Once ready, it is placed in the fridge to harden it. Finally, it's the time that they have been waiting for! 

Let's enjoy our Anthill like an ice-cream!

Like to try some Daddy and Mummy? We can try making it with round or any other shapes of food containers too! 

Let's embark on a journey to Primary School

In the month of June, the K2 children had the opportunity to do a project work on the theme 'Going to Primary School'. They surely had pretty lots of enquiries regarding life as a primary school student. To make the learning journey an interesting one, we invited our alumni, Yeo See Kang, to brief our K2 children regarding life in primary school.

Yeo See Kang giving briefing to the K2s all about Primary School.

Yeo See Kang showed his K2 friends how to pack his bag, went through his school diary and answered his K2 friends' queries.

Apart from getting informations from our alumni, the K2 children also brainstormed on questions pertaining to Primary School life such as curriculum and timetable, food served, and friends and teachers. 

They wrote down their questions in a paper and attempted to find answers. The K2s had the opportunity to use the laptop and internet to search for a few answers. It helps to practice spelling and reading in order to search for the information required. 

They also borrowed books from Woodlands Regional Library about school map, and food (so they can plan for menu for canteen food).

Look at focused the children are, while planning out the school map! 

After all the planning, the K2s seemed to be geared up for Primary School! Let's wish them all the best and continue to have a joyful learning experience ahead!

Wild Animals

In the month of October, the K1s and K2s learned about wild animals. They focused on the body patterns and body coverings. 

To begin with, the children had to draw out pictures of animals body coverings from a mystery bag.

Once everyone had drawn out the pictures from the mystery bag, they shared the pictures with friends.

They had to guess the which animals the body coverings belong to and match the pictures to the names of animals.

Children recalled the names of wild animals and their body coverings and wrote down the informations on a piece of mahjong paper. 

• scale 
• fur / hair
• skin
• armoured
• rough
• smooth

They also did a short experiment on how a polar keeps it body warm in the cold, chilly Arctic.

The children were given 2 tubs of ice and placed their index fingers in the tubs. 

then one of their index fingers was wrapped with vegetable shortening to act as the polar bear's body fats. The children got to experience of how it felt like having bare finger and finger wrapped in vegetable shortening in the tub of ice! 

Children were heard commenting that there was really a difference!

Mummy and daddy, you may also do this simple experiment with your children at home. Enjoy!