#Kinderchat, glue, glitter, gogurt, bringing daily joy to twitter. Find us Mondays, 9 pm EST and 8:30PM London time when we talk all things Early Years!
Hi all! Welcome to tonight's #kinderchat - let's start with introductions! Who are you, where are you from, and what do you wonder about? (doesn't need to be Kinder specific - any and all wonders to get us started thinking about the inquiry mindset!)
Calling all early years educators! T minus one hour till #Kinderchat talks all things INQUIRY! Hope to see you there (9 pm EST) - you can follow along with the hashtag! Looking forward to the learning.
Hello everyone & @JoelSeaman! My name is Nicole and I am a Masters of Education student at Lakehead University! I am enrolled in a Social Media for Learning course, and look forward to engaging with all of you tonight in all things kinder š„ #Kinderchat
Hey @JoelSeaman and #kinderchat! Carrie in Prince Edward Island. I wonder how we got a man on the moon? I mean, I know they didnāt learn to read in Kindergarten back then, so how could they ever have done it (insert sarcasm emoji hereā¦)
Hi all! Welcome to tonight's #kinderchat - let's start with introductions! Who are you, where are you from, and what do you wonder about? (doesn't need to be Kinder specific - any and all wonders to get us started thinking about the inquiry mindset!)
Amy here. Principal of ECE in The Canada. I wonder how no one has yet invented a no-stick zipper that kids can consistently zip themselves. #kinderchat
Hi all! Welcome to tonight's #kinderchat - let's start with introductions! Who are you, where are you from, and what do you wonder about? (doesn't need to be Kinder specific - any and all wonders to get us started thinking about the inquiry mindset!)
Hello! I am a Masters student in Ontario, Canada. I have very little experience in a kinder classroom and I am eager to learn! What are some of the best ways to get Kinder students engaged and to stay engaged? #kinderchat
Hello everyone! I'm Meagan and I am a MEd student at Lakehead in Thunder Bay. š I am curious about the balance of inquiry based learning vs. instructional teaching in the classroom at the elementary level. #kinderchat
Hello everyone & @JoelSeaman! My name is Nicole and I am a Masters of Education student at Lakehead University! I am enrolled in a Social Media for Learning course, and look forward to engaging with all of you tonight in all things kinder š„ #Kinderchat
I'm Joel, from Toronto, and I'm your moderator for this evening! I wonder about a lot of things - like, will it rain tomorrow? AND what happens in part 4 of Evil Genius on Netflix?!?! (I'm about to watch after this chat!) #kinderchat
Q1: Inquiry is, for good reason, a buzz word in early years education right now. What is inquiry in Kindergarten, to you? No right or wrong answers here, just curious how y'all would define it. #kinderchat
A1: Inquiry in Kindergarten is exploration and discovery at the childās own level. It doesnāt follow a pattern or a path, and oftentimes ends up nowhere near where it began #kinderchat
YES! Inquiry isn't a "thing" - it's a stance that informs how we talk to students, what questions we do (and don't!) ask, what's on our walls, what materials we use...etc... #kinderchat
A1: I would currently define inquiry with another word...emergent. I have to be fully emergent which runs off of the S's inquiry and their interests. I feel like by following the students interests (inquiry) it will take you on an educational adventure together. #kinderchat
Q1: Inquiry is, for good reason, a buzz word in early years education right now. What is inquiry in Kindergarten, to you? No right or wrong answers here, just curious how y'all would define it. #kinderchat
Children learning through first having a sense of wonder about something, and then discovering/learning what they were wondering about through exploring (play-based) #kinderchat
From the student perspective & an educator perspective, I feel that inquiry is all about investigation and exploration. Kinderās have many unanswered curiosities about the world around. To me, inquiry is about their need to tend to these curiosities! #kinderchat
A1: Inquiry in Kindergarten is exploration and discovery at the childās own level. It doesnāt follow a pattern or a path, and oftentimes ends up nowhere near where it began #kinderchat
For me, inquiry in Kindergarten means to ask questions. All kinds of questions. To ask the 5Ws and H, and never stop asking so you continue learning and developing personal growth. #Kinderchat
Q1: Inquiry is, for good reason, a buzz word in early years education right now. What is inquiry in Kindergarten, to you? No right or wrong answers here, just curious how y'all would define it. #kinderchat
Inquiry is not saying "my students are interested in spiders" and then making spider themed activities all around your room. That is theme based learning in disguise. Inquiry goes deeper. #kinderchat
So fascinating hearing all your thoughts on what inquiry is Kindergarten. Inspired! Now for Q2: What are some of the benefits for inquiry based learning? #kinderchat
100% true, perfect explanation. It is not theme based learning rather going beyond to create their own learning and interests. Putting out provocations and having them use the materials for something completely unexpected that their imaginations created...amazing #kinderchat
Inquiry is not saying "my students are interested in spiders" and then making spider themed activities all around your room. That is theme based learning in disguise. Inquiry goes deeper. #kinderchat
A1: For example. We are reading What Am I in my class- itās about octopuses. We are investigating octopuses. But I do not believe it is inquiry based, because itās still teacher directed. Are we having fun and learning? Sure. But I donāt believe itās true inquiry. #kinderchat
A2: Some of the benefits of inquiry based learning is that it allows the S's to use their imagination and build off of their interests while still learning. S's become so in love with what they are doing because they are interested they forget its math or writing etc. #kinderchat
So fascinating hearing all your thoughts on what inquiry is Kindergarten. Inspired! Now for Q2: What are some of the benefits for inquiry based learning? #kinderchat
We nurture their curiosity & the student learn at their own pace! We also empower students to inquire and ask questions & to have ideas š” we give students ownership of their own learning experiences! #kinderchat
A2: One of the benefits of inquiry based learning is that itās student led. They set the pace and the tone. They are able to discover what they intend to, not what I think. And they also tend to learn moreā¦ ;) #kinderchat
I think sometimes, in my experience, yes -sometimes Ss don't come into school feeling safe to freely explore & ask questions & sometimes admin doesn't always understand (or lose touch of) the appropriate dev of young Ss, which can create loss of free exploration #kinderchat
Would t it become inquiry based when the kinders explore beyond your information. The connections they make or look for as they search to understand.... #kinderchat
A1: asking questions, predicting, hypothesizing, connecting and acknowledging that sometimes children find the best answers while observing #kinderchat
Again, terrific ideas!!! Pace, tone, what they intend to, and more than the teacher intended... great ideas for how students benefit from inquiry learning!!! #kinderchat
A2: One of the benefits of inquiry based learning is that itās student led. They set the pace and the tone. They are able to discover what they intend to, not what I think. And they also tend to learn moreā¦ ;) #kinderchat
Yes, exactly! I have learned to let go of the pressure to name what we are doing all of the time. And some classes need more direction than others. This years class is one that tends to wait and see. Other years, I have had them take off and Iām racing to catch up. #kinderchat
Yes, exactly! I have learned to let go of the pressure to name what we are doing all of the time. And some classes need more direction than others. This years class is one that tends to wait and see. Other years, I have had them take off and Iām racing to catch up. #kinderchat
A2: engagement. If my Ss are interested we can spend days learning different things about their topics of interest and finding new connections to other areas. #kinderchat
Inquiry based learning allows for students to have more control of their learning. It encourages curiousity, creativity and conversation. š#Kinderchat
And isn't it a beautiful thing when students literally come RUNNING in the door to continue their learning because they're so excited about it? #kinderchat
Q3: What are some possible barriers to inquiry based learning and (this is the important part) how might we work towards overcoming them? Let's help each other out! #kinderchat
I think inquiry based learning allows Ss to take ownership of their learning. Also, since they go at their own pace, it makes for a great learning environment! #KinderChat
A3: One barrier is control! Sometimes itās hard to let go, especially when we feel we have āothersā breathing down our necks or telling us to fill our time with other things #kinderchat
Q3: What are some possible barriers to inquiry based learning and (this is the important part) how might we work towards overcoming them? Let's help each other out! #kinderchat
to me, speaks to the importance of pedagogical documentation - nothing and naming learning (& curricular outcomes) that are present in inquiry and play #kinderchat
A3: Safety (ie. students see a bees nest outside and have high curiosity/want to get closer) of course there are constraints in that sense as well as time. Interest can be there one moment and shifted in the next (over recess/hometime) #kinderchat
A3: I believe this pressure to adhere to the curriculum oftentimes presents itself as a barrier to teachers! Also, time can act as a constraint to inquiry-based learning #kinderchat
A3: and, really, there are some districts/school boards who dictate what happens in the classroom more than others. Itās easy for some of us to say āitās all coveredā (and we know it is). But some teachers are losing control of what happens in their classroom #kinderchat
A3: I think the biggest barrier is the pressure and stress that you are covering the curriculum, and proving that what they are doing connects to the curriculum. I think the biggest way we can overcome this is to support each other, helping each other out #kinderchat
Q3: What are some possible barriers to inquiry based learning and (this is the important part) how might we work towards overcoming them? Let's help each other out! #kinderchat
A3 as touched on earlier, it's important to create an authentic loving community where Ss feel safe to take risks & share out. One of my biggest struggles is pressures from admin. & our 'flow of the day' schedule. Our recess is being eliminated / severely cut next yr #kinderchat
I think fear of the unknown as teachers must "let go" of the control and act as a facilitator more than a teacher. Through inquiry, the lesson and its questions will go where the students take it. But be brave and learn from the day before. š #kinderchat
A3: personally my barriers are: feeling limited by resources that are at my kid's level. Also managing all the documentation feels overwhelming at times and how would you tie it all together for the kids to feel like they have answered their own questions? #kinderchat
A3: and, really, there are some districts/school boards who dictate what happens in the classroom more than others. Itās easy for some of us to say āitās all coveredā (and we know it is). But some teachers are losing control of what happens in their classroom #kinderchat
Unfortunately, itās happening more and more, in so many places. This fear that we āarenāt making the cutā has frozen education rather than freed it to do what it does best- educate. #kinderchat
I too have this concern.š I want the students to explore but have limits. Finding a balance is hard! It would have to begin with classroom management at the beginning of the year and building off that I think. #Kinderchat
Great ideas! Thank you for sharing! I agree a major pressure is from admin and the flow of the day, but oh noooo! That is not good for recess to be eliminated/cut! #kinderchat
Q4: Know what teachers love the MOST? Practical examples! What are some ways you've incorporated an inquiry stance into your early years practice? #kinderchat
A4: One way I have is to bring in old parts- like locks and keys, etc. and leaving them out for Ss to explore. Or set up areas with loose parts. To me, this is a great way to get the inquiry mindset juices flowing #kinderchat
Love it! Mystery items are always fun too - what might this be? Where might it have come from? About generating more questions than answers - also theory building, and revisiting/retooling theories when presented with new info #kinderchat
Creating worm and snail habitats when we found some in the garden we were tending to. Taking photos on the weekend of baby robins to talk about in class today... #kinderchat
Why would they ever take away or cut down recess? This is the time for play, imagination, exercise, and engagement to take over! They learn so much! #kinderchat
100% agree! Especially as a supply teacher, developing this relationship with students in one day can be challenging. Any suggestions? Don't mean to put you on the spot! š #kinderchat
A4: During the early stages of our Genius Hour time, Iāve tried putting out all kinds of materials (scissors, glue, paper, beads, strings, etc) and letting Ss create whatever they like and encouraging them to ask questions. #kinderchat
A4: Students were interested in this one volcano book, we branched off from there! We brought in rocks and they built a volcano, they were painting volcanos, and were asking all sorts of questions! We eventually started looking into the recent activity in Hawaii. #kinderchat
Q4: Know what teachers love the MOST? Practical examples! What are some ways you've incorporated an inquiry stance into your early years practice? #kinderchat
A4: During placement, my AT had brought in boxes from her new washer/dryer. Students were playing with them (inside you were safe, outside you weren't). A practical example of self-defense (in a less severe form). My first glimpse into inquiry on day 1!! #kinderchat
A4 young kids are so curious. Something out of place or not working starts their investigation #kinderchat found Rocks along a path in the 4year old year. The 4s worked together and then tried to figure out what to do with them and how they got there
A4: inquiry project built into homework and I also let kids pick a topic they want me to 'google' š we YouTube a lot -sometimes it does and doesn't grow into a 'side' project #kinderchat
A4 I replied to a few post about some similar things I've done. I'll share another ex though. In writing non fiction pieces, S said he was interested in Steve Jobs I showed him a book & took him to library to find others. Then he became interested in many biographies #kinderchat
Final question time! Q5: Let's keep the sharing going... what single resource do you find most helpful for you on your own journey of learning about inquiry? Here's mine: https://t.co/iQGJtCcGzR#kinderchat
A4: I also like my sand area to reflect where we live. I think, especially at the beginning of the year, this gives them a chance to bridge that piece between out of school and in school. They can experiment with the flow, etc #kinderchat
The "How Big is a Foot?" book allows students to find the "perfect" measurement. Are base ten cubes correct? Is a ruler correct? It is for them to find out! š #kinderchat
We opened a McDonald's after a student who struggles with making friends was creating happy meals to get the other kids to play with him. He managed the restaurant, wrote down orders and made the meals too. #notthebadseedanymore š #kinderchat
And on that note @JoelSeaman Thanks so much for moderating! What a wonderful, thought provoking #kinderchat I donāt know about the rest of you, but I have 31 days left! Itās crazy how fast it goes! Have a great week!
My kids did the same thing!!! They loveee playing store, some of their reoccurring favourites are a library, McDonalds, movie theatre, and pet store, but they come up with all kinds of ideas! #kinderchat
Yes! Twitter is a great resource for us as educators. Which reminds me - thank you ALL for taking part tonight. Feeling awfully inspired and read many thoughts that will stay with me and inform my future practice...happy to learn from you all. #kinderchat
