Part of the Transdisciplinary Unit of Inquiry at Crawford International Sandton Pre-Primary, Grade 00 learners expressed their ideas and feelings through play.
Centred around the theme of ‘How We Express Ourselves,’ learners could not have enough of the unit, and it was wonderful to see the learners engage.
According to Nadia Cooke, the project coordinator, the teachers recognised the importance of research skills as a tool to support learners in their exploration.
“By collecting data and gathering information from various sources such as books, videos, and peer collaboration, the learners were able to delve deeper into a specific toy and game of their choice, which led them to develop their critical thinking and information literacy skills.”
She added that engaging in research not only helps learners expand their knowledge but also enables them to take action based on their findings.
“Researching and reflecting on how an everyday object can be transformed into a game or play item, the learners demonstrated their ability to think creatively and make connections. This process did not only foster their research skills but also encouraged their communication skills as they were able to speak clearly and express their ideas logically.”
Cookie pointed out that throughout the Unit of Inquiry, teachers emphasised the importance of communication skills and encouraged Grade 00 learners to collaborate, share their ideas, and express themselves confidently and creatively using different learning modalities.
“Creating opportunities for learners to share their learning with their peers and reflect on their experiences while helping them develop their communication skills and become more effective and empathetic communicators is what this school focuses on,” she said.
By actively listening to the perspectives of others, learners also fostered the learner profile attribute of being communicators.
The final line of inquiry, focused on ‘The imaginative use of materials,’ which provided an opportunity for them to explore how everyday materials can be transformed into play items.
“By engaging in this exploration, they learnt to appreciate and value the ideas and creations of others, fostering their social skills and empathy and they did go all out with their projects where they reflected their learning.”
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