#1 ~ Kindergarten/Primary has always been a passion and their capabilities or capacity to learn and make sense of the world has always inspired me to try new ways to challenge them to build on their knowledge and make meaningful connections. This year I want to develop students skills and thinking routines to encourage age appropriate critical thinking and problem solving skills. I hope to either adjust part of the classroom to makerspace, or use makered centered learning routines, or questions / provocation skills. Develop a inquiry minded focus group and meet once a month with teachers and curriculum coordinator and like minded thinkers. This could be developing makered-centered learning routines in students to help them learn throughout the year.
#2 ~Engaging and supporting Jk -6. I am questioning my pedagogy for Kindergarten learners and looking for best practice in questioning and engaging in academic success. I am also thinking of how I can effectively assess my progress and students’ learning.
@jchan
Thank you for sharing your reflections and your goals for this year! Your passion for early learners and your desire to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills in Kindergarten are inspiring. It’s wonderful to see your focus on exploring innovative approaches like MakerEd-centered learning routines and inquiry-based provocations—these are fantastic ways to nurture curiosity and deeper learning in young minds.
Your interest in creating a MakerEd-inspired classroom or integrating routines that support inquiry and problem-solving aligns beautifully with the developmental needs of Kindergarten students. Young children are naturally curious, and providing them with opportunities to engage in hands-on, exploratory learning can help them develop critical thinking and collaboration skills at an early age.
Additionally, your idea of forming an inquiry-minded focus group with other educators is a great strategy. Collaborating with like-minded colleagues and a curriculum coordinator can bring fresh perspectives, provide support, and allow you to refine your approach over time. This collaborative effort could also lead to a broader impact, potentially influencing pedagogy beyond your classroom.
Questions to Push Your Thinking:
1. MakerEd and Inquiry-Based Learning:
• What specific MakerEd tools or materials (e.g., loose parts, robotics kits, craft supplies) might best support your goals for critical thinking and problem-solving?
• How might you balance free exploration with guided inquiry to ensure students are developing specific skills while also engaging their creativity?
2. Building Age-Appropriate Routines:
• How might you design routines that scaffold critical thinking for Kindergarten learners? Could you use visual prompts, story-based challenges, or collaborative problem-solving games to make these routines accessible and engaging?
• What role will questioning play in your routines? For example, could you introduce a “wonder wall” where students can post their own questions and explore them together?
3. Assessment of Learning and Progress:
• How will you assess the impact of these routines on your students’ thinking and learning? Could you use tools like anecdotal notes, student portfolios, or video documentation to track progress?
• What indicators will you look for to measure success, both in terms of student outcomes and your own professional growth?
Justin
Jennifer, thank you for sharing this thinking! How is the inquiry mindset sessions going so far? I’ve love to chat more about this journey with you. I look forward to connecting with you on Saturday.
I feel like our discussions today helped me alot of defining my direction. I feel that my idea has transitioned from thinking about problem solving, but by taking a step back it is more related to equipping and introducing JKs to strategies like thinking routines that will help them be more engaged in their learning by thinking more carefully about their answers and being more confident to share those thoughts and ideas or asking questions. Thanks for the support today!
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful goals for the year. Your passion for Kindergarten/Primary education and your desire to challenge students to think critically and problem solve is truly inspiring. Developing thinking routines and fostering inquiry-based learning in young learners will undoubtedly set a strong foundation for their future academic growth. I love the idea of transforming part of your classroom into a makerspace or integrating maker-centered learning routines. This approach not only engages students but also encourages creativity and problem-solving in a hands-on way.
Your plan to collaborate with other teachers and the curriculum coordinator through a focus group is an excellent strategy for refining your practices and sharing insights with like-minded educators. This community of support will help ensure you continue to grow in your teaching approach while also meeting the diverse needs of your students.
As for your reflections on pedagogy and assessment, questioning your approach is an important step in ensuring you are using the most effective strategies for engaging Kindergarten learners. I’m sure that through this process, you will discover new ways to assess both your own progress and that of your students, ultimately creating an environment that nurtures critical thinking and academic success.
I look forward to hearing more about how your inquiry-based focus group develops and how it helps shape your teaching practices this year!
Thank you so much for the feedback and I look forward to refining my prototype.