The Kindergarten classroom at St. Monica School is filled with interactive activities that ignite curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning. From solving mysteries to building imaginative worlds, the young learners in the school's Kindergarten program are constantly engaging with the world around them in fun and meaningful ways. Here's a glimpse into some of the enriching activities that make St. Monica's Kindergarten classroom unique.
The Science Aquarium: A Mystery in Every Box!
Every few weeks, something mysterious appears in the Let's Explore Science Aquarium at St. Monica School. This special aquarium, though sealed, sparks the scientific minds of Kindergarten students as they use their observation skills, background knowledge, and problem-solving abilities to identify the mystery item inside.
The students are equipped with magnifying glasses, allowing them to get a closer look at the mystery object, and they're given three colour images on the science table that resemble the item. These tools help guide their thinking and give them the chance to hypothesize about what the mystery item could be.
Once students have carefully observed the item and recorded their findings on a documentation sheet, they submit their work, which is displayed on the science wall. At the end of the week, the class gathers to discuss everyone's ideas, share their documentation sheets, and vote on their best guesses. Finally, the mystery item is revealed, and students get a chance to hold and explore it in person. This activity is a fun and engaging way for the kids to strengthen their observational skills, practice critical thinking, and embrace the excitement of discovery.
The Building Blocks Challenge: Creativity at its Best
At St. Monica School, creativity and teamwork come to life in the building block centre. Each week, the centre changes to keep things fresh and exciting. Some weeks are all about free building, where students can let their imaginations run wild, while other weeks present specific building challenges that require focus, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Students are given loose parts and materials to help bring their ideas to life. Some challenges are inspired by classroom themes, while others stem from the students' own interests. The challenges encourage them to work together, sharing ideas and strategies, or sometimes they choose to build solo, gaining confidence in their individual abilities.
Here are some examples of the challenges that have sparked creativity in the Kindergarten class:
- Dinosaur World
- The North Pole
- Decorating Christmas Trees
- Squirrel Mazes
- Arctic & Antarctic Regions
Each challenge promotes teamwork, creativity, and the opportunity to connect classroom lessons to real-world concepts. The building block centre is an excellent way for students to develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and the ability to think critically and creatively.
The Magic of the OCSB's Kindergarten Experience
The Kindergarten program in all of our schools is designed to engage students through hands-on, interactive learning experiences. By blending fun activities with important educational goals, students are not just learning facts they're learning how to think critically, collaborate with others, and explore their world with curiosity and enthusiasm.
The Let's Explore Science Aquarium and the Building Blocks Challenge are just two examples of how St. Monica's Kindergarten students are encouraged to experiment, explore, and discover. These activities help foster a love for learning that will stay with students for years to come. Through play, problem-solving, and creativity, our Kindergarten students are laying the foundation for future academic success and, just as importantly, developing skills that will help them succeed in life.
At St. Monica School, we celebrate the achievements of our youngest learners and look forward to seeing how their curiosity and creativity continue to grow.
