Welcome to the Junior/Senior Kindergarten here at Titotay Memorial School. Both classes are half day programs. The Senior Kindergarten class meets in the morning; the Junior Kindergarten after lunch. It's a happening place!
The Housekeeping Area is where the children socialize and experiment with their roles in dramatic play situations.
The Communication Area is adjacent to the Housekeeping Area. This is where the children are able to explore print and number concepts. It also provides a nice extension to ideas that are created in the Housekeeping Area.
The Transition Area. The children use this space when they've completed their Seatwork Activities. It also is adjacent to the Puzzle Area and this tends to be a popular space during Work Time. The space contains small manipulative and math materials.
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The Class Room
My classroom has several important features to it. First, there is the Gathering Circle Area. The children meet here first as they enter the classroom. Traditionally in a First Nations Community, the Circle itself has symbolic importance. This is also the area where the Library is located.
I try to use as much of the natural materials from the environment in my displays. The community is involved in both the Moose Derby (note the antlers) and the Goose/Duck Hunt (note the actual goose wings)...beautiful examples of symmetry. The paintings were created by using feathers. I try to explore as many process art experiences as possible and the natural materials provide excellent mediums.
As part of my Science program I created the spider web that will serve an number of purposes: a) to demonstrate the life cycle of this critter (I find so fascinating); b) to count the number of bugs caught in web (in English and Ojibway); c) to set the scene for Halloween which is my favorite event. |
The Block Area is a favorite spot. It opens up into the classroom so that the children are able to extend their constructions. There are lots of manipulative's from which to choose. In the center is a dinosaur table which has as it's focal point a moose antler.
I use the wall above the Block and Housekeeping Areas to place the 'Consonant Characters' that I've created over the year. I've used these characters to help teach the Alphabet. We refer to this area a lot The children now use the characters and the alliteration words to help them with letter recognition and sounds i.e."Calico Cat cuddles Cc!" consonant.
The Art Area. On top of the shelf I have the wrapping for a tikinagan. I have a number of different skulls arranged along the top of the shelf. Moose, caribou, beaver, to name three. The small blue prints under the mask are also skull paintings by Georgia O'Keefe. They set the mood for the setting.
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