Planning Process and Play Based Curriculum

Planning Process

• The planning, teaching, assessing, and reflecting cycle is a continuous loop that is vital for effective teaching.
• This cycle starts with understanding curriculum goals and the needs of children.
• Planning includes creating a yearly overview and the 'Getting To Know Every Child' plan.
• Teachers must cater learning experiences to students' strengths, weaknesses, and developmental stages.
• Inclusive learning environments should support all learners by ensuring equitable opportunities and access to learning.
• Teachers should continuously observe children to understand how they learn best and adapt teaching methods, materials, or learning environments.
• Children should be involved in their learning and provided with opportunities to share their feedback.
• Collaboration with other teachers, families, and the community is essential to create meaningful learning experiences for children.

Play Based Curriculum Approach

• Play is a key driver of learning and allows children to actively engage with their world through imagination and hands-on experience.
• Play helps children develop self-regulation, social skills such as cooperation and negotiation, and communication skills.
• Play-based learning allows children to choose their activities, fostering a sense of agency and promoting intrinsic motivation.
• Play encourages children to explore and learn through wonder by asking questions, experimenting, and discovering new things.
• Play should be enjoyable and meaningful for students to foster a sense of accomplishment and joy through learning.

Project Based Curriculum

• Project-based learning encourages children to share ownership of their learning.
• Projects connect curriculum requirements to children's interests and allow for deeper engagement in learning.
• Project-based learning values prior learning and encourages children to contribute their thoughts and ideas.
• Teachers should provide opportunities for children to collaborate with each other in small and large groups.
• Feedback should be specific and given in a timely manner to help students learn new concepts and skills.
• The amount of time needed for a project will vary based on the project's scope, students' experiences, group work skills, and any monitoring or assessment tasks.
• Establishing clear daily routines helps children feel secure and know what to expect.

Creating an Effective Learning Environment

• Teachers should foster a sense of wellbeing for children by providing a safe and welcoming learning space.
• Spatial layout should use flexible arrangements of furniture to encourage physical activity and quiet reflection.
• Materials should be stored in a way that is easily accessible, clear, and organized. This encourages children to be agentic and promotes the care of equipment.
• Teachers should involve children in the process of organizing learning materials, allowing them to contribute their ideas and perspectives.
• The learning environment should be aesthetically pleasing and inclusive, reflecting cultural diversity.
• When organizing the learning space, teachers should consider how the layout looks from a child's perspective, such as by sitting on the floor.

Resources for Planning

• Teachers can access a variety of resources to help them plan effectively.
• School calendars are essential for understanding school events and activities.
• Education calendars highlight educational events and can guide planning for activities such as book week.
• Effective communication with families, staff, and the community is crucial.
• Previous teachers can offer invaluable insights into the class and students' previous learning experiences.
• Reviewing student work from the previous year highlights strengths and weaknesses and identifies any gaps in learning that need to be addressed.
• Teachers should plan for excursions and other out-of-classroom experiences.

Play-Based Approach

• Play is a core learning method, allowing children to explore their world through hands-on experiences.
• Play develops essential skills like self-regulation, communication, and social competence.
• Children are empowered when given choices in their learning, leading to a sense of ownership and motivation.
• Play experiences should foster curiosity and a sense of wonder, encouraging exploration and discovery.
• Play-based learning should be enjoyable and meaningful, promoting a sense of accomplishment and joy.

Key Beliefs

• Choice: Children should have options to guide their learning, fostering autonomy and empowerment.
• Wonder: Learning experiences should encourage curiosity and exploration, promoting a sense of wonder about the world.
• Delight: Play-based learning should be enjoyable and meaningful, creating a sense of accomplishment and joy.

Project-Based Approach

• The approach focuses on shared ownership of learning, emphasizing active participation and decision-making.
• Learning experiences are purposeful and connect curriculum requirements to children's interests, fostering deeper engagement.
• The approach values prior knowledge and encourages young learners to share their ideas and contributions.

Key Beliefs

• Shared Learning: Young learners actively participate in decision-making, sharing ownership of their learning.
• Purposeful Learning: Projects connect curriculum content with children's interests, promoting deeper engagement.
• Valued Prior Knowledge: Projects build upon children's prior knowledge and investigative skills, encouraging idea sharing and contribution.

Collaboration and Feedback

• Projects encourage collaboration and teamwork in small and large group settings, transcending ability and friendship groups.
• Feedback plays a crucial role, providing specific and timely information about progress, modeling effective giving and receiving feedback.
• Regular discussions about daily routines create a sense of structure and predictability for young learners.

This quiz examines the fundamental aspects of the planning, teaching, assessing, and reflecting cycle in education. It emphasizes the importance of understanding curriculum goals, creating inclusive environments, and the role of play in fostering learning. Teachers will explore strategies to engage students and collaborate effectively with families and the community.