Provocations in the Neighbourhood
Provocations have provided an ideal way for the children to reconnect with our inquiry, and each other, after so long away from the neighbourhood. The children have been engaging in meaningful, purposeful experiences in order to develop a deeper understanding of our theme of connection – exploring ways we connect to the world around us through the mediums of technology, construction, art and craft.
Discussions with the children on the theme of connection demonstrated to us our principles of learning, specifically, that we learn through engagement in meaningful, purposeful contexts where connections are made to our lives.
When we’re doing the pizza shop we’re not actually working by ourselves, we’re working with more people than just one. Because when you’re doing it by yourself it’s not as much fun as when you’re working with more people. Aaliyah.
I like doing the pizzas and making them and carrying them to the shop and then the shop can give them out to people. We have pizza on Friday night and we normally get take-away. Because on Friday night we normally have movie night and dinner in front of the TV. Esther
Our focus on the environment has seen children working collaboratively in construction and design, drawing on their new knowledge of sustainability.
We’ve been making Tesla electric cars in the construction space, for our sustainable city. Electric cars stop polluting because they don’t have exhaust pipes and you don’t put gas in them. They go by electricity. Henry and Elliot.
I have enjoyed using Canva because i like designing. It is fun to move the images around. I also like to select the images. I am learning how to use the touchpad because I always use a mouse. Alina
I have enjoyed doing Canva because you get to make posters, videos, cards and much more. I have learnt how to persuade people to do what I want them to do through my designs. Mia
I really enjoy working on Canva with Alina and Hattie. I have learnt a lot of computer skills such as scrolling and team work. Huon
In a group discussion to reflect on our learning and the skills we are developing the children shared their thinking:
In sewing, I’ve been learning how to thread a needle and that you don’t just have to cut, because it won’t be good – so you can get a shape to trace around. Leo
I’ve been learning to sew very carefully and to concentrate so I don’t poke myself with a needle and I’ve learnt how to make a knot in the thread. Sienna
I’ve been learning to add more detail to my story. Noah
I have learnt how to use my imagination more in writing and how to connect ideas with friends to make better ideas . Alex.L
I really enjoyed the authors station because you can make really cool stories. I have learnt how to make a story interesting like ‘The War of Legends’ – Elias
We unpacked this with the children and together we made a list of the new skills the children have been developing through our latest provocations:
Our imagination
Our fine motor skills
Our problem solving skills
Our designing skills
Our digital /technical skills
