PS5: Responds to and follows children's leads, including recognizing and supporting child-initiated play both indoors and outdoors and developing activities to incorporate and extend their individual interests
Evidence 1: Sunflower Exploration Photographs
Description: Children explore sunflowers in our science center with magnifying glasses and rulers.
Analysis: When a child returned to school excited about some sunflowers that he had seen at a local farmer's market, I decided to incorporate some of these blooms into our classroom. Children used various materials in the classroom to explore the properties of these flowers. Magnifying glasses, rulers and the scale have aided in our investigations. Children are becoming interested in other plants and trees, and a trip to a local apple orchard has been planned.
Evidence 2: Photographs of Current Classroom
Description: The preschool moved from it's original space into the main school for the 2014-2015 school year. These photographs depict the intended usage of space (as a 2/3 classroom), and the actual usage of space (as a Pre-Kindergarten classroom).
Analysis: The classroom environment and the careful selection of materials can extend the learning of each student. By providing many open ended materials, children are able to explore and learn in ways that are meaningful to them. Through my observations I am able to determine developmental milestones being worked on, and can then provide new materials to further engage the children in my care.
Evidence 3: Ice Skating Photographs
Description: These photographs were taken at a local ice rink.
Analysis: One of my students had an older sibling that played ice hockey which created a desire to learn to skate. My co-teacher and I arranged for some ice time at a local rink. As the children continued to skate week after week, their balance and coordination began to improve. Slowly children began to experiment on the ice without crates, until the end of the year when crates weren't needed anymore.
