We Built this City!

Learner:  Darren       Learning Coach: Luisa Maloni    Date: 23rd  April, 2015

Learning Area: iExplore: We Built This City

Learning Observed

Due to the high interest in building structures out of the magnetic shapes, we have embarked upon an iExplore learning adventure designing and constructing a city out of cardboard. Before school had started, Nanami, Darren and Simeon got to work, trying out their ideas for this cardboard city. They each took an active role in constructing their building. Darren was able to point out parts of the building and say what they were for. Darren was able to draw a number of designs for his building and use some appropriate topic vocabulary to discuss his design e.g. cylinder.

Evidence of learning

Darren is able to work with others to try out ideas for his building.

Key Competencies/Vision Principles

Darren shows that he can work Collaboratively with others toward a common goal (Participating and Contributing). He uses his creativity and Thinking skills to trial his ideas with the materials he has available and to describe the purpose of his building.

Next Learning Steps

Develop his ideas about the purpose of structures as he designs and constructs other structures. Can he describe his building using new or appropriate topic vocabulary? E.g. factory, apartment, skyscraper, offices etc...Can he show how his design includes modifications to suit the purpose of his building? E.g. one large space and a kitchen/storage area for a restaurant Make sure everyone is in agreement with ideas and decisions made about a project

How Much does it Cost?

Learner:  Darren              Learning Coach: Luisa Maloni  Date: 17th February, 2015

Learning Area: iExplore: Baking Project

Learning Observed

After making countless play dough biscuits, a group of learners wanted to bake some biscuits for an iExplore project. As we planned for our baking project, we realised we needed to know how much it was all going to cost to buy the ingredients. A group of learners including Darren went on a supermarket website to research prices for each ingredient and record these on a ‘costing’ sheet. I observed that Darren really enjoyed this process and was able to support others in how to write the dollar symbol and to include the ‘dot’ or decimal point. I observed that he was very focussed and enthusiastic about this task and at times was able to wait for his turn to find and write the prices. Working together, this group was able to complete the task with little need for support from me!

Evidence of learning

These learners are finding prices for our ingredients from a supermarket website. I wonder if they help with the shopping at home? You can see the final costing in our proposal video to mr McNeil.

Key Competencies/Vision Principles

Darren is demonstrating his Capabilities in writing numbers and searching for items on a website (Using Language, Symbols and Text). His Collaborative skills are also showcased in his abilities to take turns and share his own expertise and enthusiasm with others in the group (Relating to Others/Participating and Contributing).

Next Learning Steps

Develop collaboration skills by continued experiences in small group -task based activities that require an outcome Extend understandings around money and the decimal point through an introduction to our ‘play money’

iExplore: Experiments with colour!

Learner:  Darren  Dai  Learning Coach: Luisa Maloni            Date: 5th March, 2015

Learning Area: iExplore: Experiments with Colour

Learning Observed

Darren has been involved in a range of experiments this week as we explore colour and paint. Today Darren was trying out a range of painting tools to make marks with. He experimented with sponges, skewers and even a bath loofah! Darrens work shows he has thought about pattern and composition as well as how he can manipulate each tool in an effective way. Darren has been learning about making comments and asking questions. When asked about his artwork/study he said: “I liked making the circles and squares with the sponges.” “I wonder why it has sprinkles and stuff inside?”

Evidence of learning

Darren’s artwork shows he has an understanding or appreciation for shape, pattern and symmetry.

Key Competencies/Vision Principles

Darren is demonstrating the Ormiston Primary Vision Principle of Curiosity and Key Competency: Thinking, as he explores the different marks he can make with different tools. His comments show he is developing capabilities in talking about what he is doing. In the McCarthy and Kirk Assessment of Oral Language he scored 3 years 3 months. He is learning how to make comments and ask questions.

Next Learning Steps

Extend his thinking by asking what other tools he could use to paint with? Could he create his own tool to use? Continue to make comments and begin to ask questions about his own and others’ artwork or experiments