iTime is an exciting inquiry program run in our Foundation classrooms based on the Walker Learning Approach.It is a play based learning program, which embeds Literacy, Numeracy, STEM and The Arts into multiple Learning Centres. Oral language skills are developed and activities are planned to be rich and meaningful to the children, fostering the children’s abilities in the areas of emotional, cognitive, social, physical and language development. Children explore their own interests and abilities in creative and open-ended learning centers. Teachers guide students by building on these experiences to extending their literacy and numeracy skills.
Along with various Literacy, Numeracy and Sensory stations, this term, our iTime program features an airport, a school, a dinosaur land, a recycling center, a camping ground, a box and recycled construction zone and more! These areas integrate dramatic play and language development as well as including open ended links to numeracy and literacy. For example, student can go to ‘check in’ peers at the airport by recording the letters in their names, they can ‘teach’ peers common words and ‘words of the week’ at the mini school, or fish for their common words at the campground. In the dinosaur land, students can develop their inquiry skills and take part in the archaeologist dig site! Our Inquiry into sustainability is supported through our recycling center and vegetable garden.
Whilst each station is planned carefully, with links to the curriculum and children’s interests, it is AMAZING to see where the imaginations and creativity of the children takes their learning. Children are given many opportunities to extend their abilities in areas such as problem solving, teamwork, speaking and listening, deep thinking and self-initiation. Through hands-on, creative investigation and formal instruction, children are active and motivated participants in their own learning.
Along with various Literacy, Numeracy and Sensory stations, this term, our iTime program features an airport, a school, a dinosaur land, a recycling center, a camping ground, a box and recycled construction zone and more! These areas integrate dramatic play and language development as well as including open ended links to numeracy and literacy. For example, student can go to ‘check in’ peers at the airport by recording the letters in their names, they can ‘teach’ peers common words and ‘words of the week’ at the mini school, or fish for their common words at the campground. In the dinosaur land, students can develop their inquiry skills and take part in the archaeologist dig site! Our Inquiry into sustainability is supported through our recycling center and vegetable garden.
Whilst each station is planned carefully, with links to the curriculum and children’s interests, it is AMAZING to see where the imaginations and creativity of the children takes their learning. Children are given many opportunities to extend their abilities in areas such as problem solving, teamwork, speaking and listening, deep thinking and self-initiation. Through hands-on, creative investigation and formal instruction, children are active and motivated participants in their own learning.
Dramatic Play corners
Sensory
Small Worlds
Maths
Construction