Inquiry Based Learning
Sand Paper Writing
Curriculum Area: Cognitive and Fine Motor (3.12 Understanding of Orientation and Familiar Conventions of Print)
Goal: To have the children experience writing on different textures and practice writing their name, and letter recognition.
Materials Required:
- Strips of sand paper in a variety of grains
- Crayons or markers
Procedure:
- Lay out the strips of sand paper and writing utensils for the children.
- Demonstrate writing on the sand paper and let the children explore the texture while writing.
Reflection: The children were intrigued by the texture of the sand paper and used different writing utensils. The activity was then extended to other areas of the classroom.
Creating Slime
Curriculum Area: Sensory, Physical, Cognition (5.3 Holding and using tools, Observing 4.5 Classifying 4.10)
Goal: To have the children experience a sensory science experiment and discover different textures, while observing the different ingredients combine together.
Materials Required:
- Elmers glue
- Contact solution
- Food colouring
- Baking soda
Procedure:
- Measure out all of the ingredients
- Have the children take turns to add an ingredient and mix
- Children can explore the texture of the slime
Reflection: The children were immersed in the activity from beginning to end. They enjoyed mixing and having the opportunity to have a choice in the colour of the slime, as well as knead and stretch the slime at the end.
Making Puffy Paint
Curriculum Area: Sensory, Physical, Cognition (5.3 Holding and using tools, Observing 4.5 Classifying 4.10)
Goal: To have the children experience a sensory art activity. Children are to distinguish the texture of the paint and use different techniques when painting to have the paint dry 'puffy'
Materials Required:
- Elmers Glue
- Food Colouring
- Shaving Foam
- Paper and Paint Brushes
Procedure:
- Measure out all of the ingredients
- Have the children take turns to add an ingredient and mix
- Children can explore the texture of the puffy paint and create their painting while experiencing different textures
Reflection: The children enjoyed mixing the ingredients together and having the choice of which colour they wanted their paint to be. The children also appeared to be quite intrigued with the texture of the shaving foam, which lead to a discussion.
Rainbow Colour Matching
Curriculum Area: Physical, Cognition (5.3 Holding and using tools, Classifying 4.10)
Goal: To have the children match the different coloured pompoms to the coordinating stripes of the rainbow. In addition to experiencing the strength of the magnets on the pompoms.
Materials Required:
- Cookie Baking Tray
- Print out of Rainbow
- Pompoms
- Small Magnets
Procedure:
- Children will place the corresponding colored pom poms to the white dots on the rainbow to complete and fill in the rainbow
- Children will complete the rainbow and discovering the strength of magnets when connected with the baking tray
Reflection: The children were very interested in the magnets and the strength of them when placed on the baking tray. With a demonstration the children grasped the concept of matching the pompoms to the rainbow.
Third Year Placement Site Information
Name: Yes I Can Nursery School
Location: 25 Old York Mills Road
Phone Number: 416 486 4911
Description of Center:
Yes I Can! offers a caring, stimulating learning environment to enhance each child’s strengths while fostering leadership skills and promoting activities that build confidence, self-esteem and a life-long love of learning.
A warm, inclusive and enriched early learning setting, where children of differing abilities learn side by side highly qualified teachers. They offer Preschool, Specialized Kindergarten, Specialized communication classes for children 2.6 months to 6 years with ASD and/or social communication delays.