Change is Inevitable
This week we have started our fourth and final Unit of Inquiry, “Where We Are in Place and Time”. We are inquiring into “orientation in place and time, personal histories and discoveries.” The central idea is “change is inevitable and affects our lives.” As the teachers discussed how to approach this unit in E2, Ms. Emma from E1 mentioned that some of the children had expressed an interest in seeing what goes on in E2. Recognizing that this would be a wonderful way to introduce the unit, Ms. Emma brought the transitioning E1 children to ask if they could come and visit the E2 classroom and children. Initially, E2 was curious about why the E1 children wanted to visit but it soon became clear that these were the children who would be moving up to E2 and probably had a lot of questions about what it would be like.
The visit motivated the E2 children to start thinking about their transition into Kindergarten in August. During our meeting time they listened to and shared a number of questions they all had about the “big school”. It was decided that letters would be written to each of the Kindergarten teachers to inquire about this unfamiliar place and new people.
“Hello Ms. Natasha and Ms. Zoe,
Jaiden – This message is from E2.
Jacob – What are the big children like?
Jacob – What do you look like? Scarlett – Do you have short hair or long hair? Jacob – Do you have a nice face?
Ruby – Or a smiley face? Scarlett – Are you kind? Sofia – Are you friendly?
Angus – What do you like to wear? Kieran – Do you like to wear spots? Scarlett – Or stripes? Sofia – Do you wear beautiful dresses?
Jacob – What do you do? Ruby – Do you just play with kids? Jacob – Do you do work and looking what’s happening?
Ray – Do you have a computer? Jacob – Do you do like emails?
Jaiden – Like on the computer? Ruby – On her computer, writing stuff.
Jacob – What is the food like there? Do you go outside?
Kieran – Can we visit you for one day and also when is a good time to visit you for one day? We would like to see what it is like.”
A small group of children delivered the letters and the Kindergarten teachers, Ms. Zoe and Ms. Tasha, were only too happy to answer all their questions while some of the E2 children recorded their answers, drew pictures of the teachers and took photographs to share the information with the rest of their class. Ms. Zoe and Ms. Tasha agreed to discuss a future visit with the entire E2 class and Kindergarten children and invited E2 to write any further questions they might have in an email.
Over the next few weeks the children will be investigating the changes that they have gone through since last August when they started in E2 and how these are affecting their lives. We will be visiting the Kindergarten classes in the near future to help the children prepare for their transition and the many changes that await them.
