Playing With Words and Literacy in the Pumpkin Patch ELP

At the beginning of October, before Thanksgiving Ms. Switzer went up to her family cottage. On the way, she picked up a bale of hay and a bunch of pumpkins from a roadside stand. Together with the children, we set up a pumpkin/vegetable stand in the dramatic centre.

We asked the children how they would like to make it their own and they responded by asking to decorate using pictures and words.

We gave the children a piece of brown butcher paper, pencils, and markers.

Check out the final sign!

The children enjoyed  playing in their vegetable/pumpkin stand.

This activity supports the Big Idea of the FDK curriculum: "Children are effective communicators."

Overall Expectations:

4.1: Demonstrate an interest in writing.

4.2: Demonstrate an awareness that writing can convey ideas or messages.

4.3: Write simple messages.

4.4: Begin to use classroom resources to support their writing.

4.5: Experiment with a variety of simple writing forms for different purposes.

(Taken from the Full-Day Kindergarten Program pg. 88-90; 2010-11 Ministry of Education)

The students have also been experimenting with writing in other ways:

At the inquiry table:

At the writing centre:

And stencils!

Writing is happening everyday in all sorts of ways!