Week 7

What can I do to engage children to learning?

This week was the first week of my placement. There was quite a few challenges at the site i was placed in. Having it to be in a library and not a primary school, we were restricted to do a lot of things, however my group managed to work our way around the new model.

In the first lesson we spreaded out activities into different sections of the room. We had blocks at a corner, a table for kids to draw, wooden musical instruments, soft toy cooking utensils, books and puzzles spreaded on the floor for children and their parents to come in and participate in the learning. The blocks were really popular because it came in different colours and kids are able to explore and build things to their own interest. Some kids didn't like to play with blocks but they were engaged to the maracas as it made a lot of sound which i found quite interesting. There was a girl who found the maracas to be too noisy and she kept blocking her ears but she eventually warmed up to the cooking plush toys.

From observing the children, I noticed that every child is different and have different interests. I think lots of colours engages children to learn because it brightens up the room and catches their eye. Sound and music can also engage children to participate in activities because they can hear and incorporate the sound into their learning by singing or dancing which makes learning more fun.

Week 6

What are some strategies that I could use to co-construct learning with children?

Lesson plans are a major part of any teacher's attempt to manage time and effectiveness. Each day should be very well organised into assorted lessons and objectives for students to get through. Constructing a well planned schedule and planning ahead is important for a teacher because it enables them to teach the children in a stable and effective environment without any disruptions. I think creating a structure that involves unit plans, yearly plans and daily plans that all work together will help reach the teaching goal needed for children to succeed.

Teaching children how to express and share meaning with others is also part of co-constructing. Co-constructing entails teamwork between teacher and student. It is a good source for teachers and students to work together to run the lesson in order to help them with questions and support them individually. Teaching them that by giving a little to others, we can get some of what we want as well encourages students to share and acknowledge ideas of others to take into account of their own learning. It builds lots of opportunities for children to develop the skills and confidence to become effective independent learners.

I would like to explore more on co-constructing effective learning with children to help my future studies. Is planning ahead all there is to co-constructing learning with children?

Week 5

Why is it important to teach children about the Aboriginal Culture?

Visiting the Bunjilaka at the Melbourne Museum helped me learn so many things about the Aboriginal culture that I've never thought to myself before. 

Bunjil was an eagle and he created the world to nations, nations to country and from country to people. 'Bunjil' means creator aka soil or ground. It signifies land of Bunjil referring one of the main Ancestral beings of south eastern Australia who created the mountains, rivers, humans and animals. 

During my exploring in the museum I discovered the language map that represents the diversity of Aboriginal culture in Victoria. These languages are all part of larger language families, such as Eastern Kulin, Western Kulin, Gunditjmara or Gunaikurnai. There are 36 language families and those families speak a common language more similar than dissimilar.

The role of cultural identity identifies who you are and where you come from. It tells you where you come from, your connection to country and where your country is. Being able to know your language, history, culture, strengthens your identity and that applies to everyone in the world not just Aboriginal people. 

Aboriginal people were the first people to discover our country and therefore I believe it is very important for children to explore the Aboriginal Culture and relate it to place-thought because it explores the elements of how our land is created and how they are able to live in the world today.