Recently in Elizabeth's Small Group Projects F11 Category
TreesI have chosen the topic of trees because it has been an interest for many of the children. Children have been collecting leaves, acorns, and branches that they find out on the playground. Going to the apple orchard and seeing the trees there also inspired an interest in trees for the children. I am hoping to encourage children to notice that trees are all around us and what types of changes a tree goes through. I will also pay special attention to the interests of the children and guide our exploration based upon those interests. -Jennifer
PaintingThe topic of painting was chosen in order to extend the curriculum exploration of colors. This topic has many different aspects to explore and gives the children the opportunity to creatively express themselves through paint. Through this small group, the children will socialize and communicate with their peers while supporting each other's creative ideas. The learning this small group will engender will revolve around socialization and communication with their peers, creative problem solving, and provide for a more self-confident view of self as both learner and artist. -Kylie
AnimalsAnimals in particular domestic pets are very close to children's heart. A majority number of the children in the classroom have shared the type of pets they have at home or elaborated on their prior experiences with animals. As part of the classroom's goal to foster a community of learners, I chose this topic because it can be a common point of interest among the children in the classroom. During the first few sessions of our small group meetings, children will be involved in different awareness building activity to expose them to a variety of animals that exist in their immediate and extended environments. As part of our on-going exploration, the children will begin to explore the various part of an animal's body. The children will compare and contrast the similarities and differences as well as observe animal habitat and food consumption. Through various activities and projects, the purpose of the Animal small group is to foster awareness, knowledge, and acceptance of other living things exist on the planet. Furthermore,the small group activities will encourage children to participate in active exploration in expressing wonder about the natural world. In addition, the learning process that occurs will encourage children to develop interest in learning and discovering new things as well as initiate, inquire, and respond to conversations with other peers and adults.