Reflection Time in a Play Based Classroom: How to Run It Effectively

Discover why reflection time is a vital part of a play-based classroom. Learn how to implement Walker Learning reflection strategies to connect play with curriculum and support student growth.

Investigations, Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle21 October 2024reflection, reflection time, play based, reflecting on learning, student reflection, walker learningComment

Science Provocations - How Things Move

Looking for hands-on science activities to teach the kindergarten physical sciences unit How Things Move or Force and Motion? This blog post has practical teaching tips and engaging ideas for purposeful early childhood science learning provocations. Best of all? They are all aligned to the ACARA foundation stage science curriculum learning intentions.

InvestigationsJanelle McArdle29 September 2022how things move, science provocations, kindergarten science, foundation stage, force and motion, preschool science, science, learning invitation, play based learning, walker learning, investigations, investigative play, inquiryComment

How to Write a Statement of Intent for Your Play Based Learning Classroom

If you are familiar with the Walker Learning Approach, then you are no doubt also familiar with writing a Statement of Intent. This fortnightly planning document is vital to the success of your play-based learning program. Check out this blog post to see how we write ours.

Explicit Teaching, InvestigationsJanelle McArdle27 June 2022play based learning, planning, curriculum planning, investigations, investigative play, statement of intent, walker learning, kindergarten, play based classroom, developmental play, play based, Reggio teacher, teacher planningComment

How to Write a Play Based Learning Term Overview

If you think curriculum planning and mapping out your term is hard work and you find it a dreaded task that seems to take you forever, you are going to love this blog post on how to write a play-based learning term overview. I’ll show you my quick and easy process.

Explicit Teaching, InvestigationsJanelle McArdle13 June 2022play based learning, play based classroom, planning, play based, developmental play, kindergarten, teaching, teacher planning, term planning, term menu, term overview, walker learning Comment

Science Provocations – Properties of Materials

Teaching the early years chemistry strand and looking for some engaging and educational science provocations? This blog post has 5 hands-on learning invitations to help you teach about Materials and their Properties. There are also tips and ideas to help you set up your very own purposeful early childhood science learning provocations.

Science Provocations – Living Things

Are you teaching the early years biology strand and looking for some engaging and educational science provocations to help your students learn about Living Things? In this blog post there are 5 engaging living things provocations to inspire you. There are also tips and ideas to help you set up your very own purposeful early childhood science learning provocations.

Teaching Science in a Play Based Classroom

Teaching science in a play based classroom is one of the easiest things you will ever do as a classroom teacher. In this blog post you will discover how play based learning and science education go hand-in-hand. I’ll share heaps of photos and ideas you can use in your classroom to teach science through play and learning provocations.

How to Start with Play Based Learning

Interested in play based or inquiry learning but don’t know where to start? Discover how I do it and find out all the benefits of play based learning. You will also get some practical ideas and my play based learning hints and tips on how you can easily get started learning through play in your classroom today.

InvestigationsJanelle McArdle12 January 2022play based learning, planning, playbased, developmental play, learning invitation, hands-on learning, learning resources, walker learning, provocations for learning, kindergarten, prep, preschool, back to school, starting school Comments

Environment as the Third Teacher

Are you interested in transforming your learning environment into the third teacher? Read this blog post for tips and ideas on how you can get the third teacher working for you.

Walker Learning Reporter Role

The classroom reporter role is a key element of the Walker Learning Approach. Find out what a classroom reporter does and why you need one in your classroom. Discover how to implement the child reporter role and download free resources to help you.

InvestigationsJanelle McArdle7 May 2021investigations, investigative play, walker learning, playbased, planning, classroom reporter Comments

Teaching Science in Early Childhood

Find out how to effectively teach the early childhood science curriculum in just 40min a week. The children in my class reach curriculum benchmarks easily. In fact, they learn so much more than the mandated curriculum.

Explicit Teaching, InvestigationsJanelle McArdle22 April 2021inquiry, investigations, planning, playbased, provocations, science, play based, early years, early childhood, teaching science, reggio, walker learning, integrated curriculum, investigative play, developmental playComment

Classroom Photographer Child

A classroom photographer child is an important role from the Walker Learning Approach. Discover how having a child as a photographer can enhance learning, engagement, and documentation.

InvestigationsJanelle McArdle10 June 2020inquiry, literacy, planning, play based, social and emotional, walker learningComment

Blog - Life in a Play Based Classroom

I’m Janelle and I’m here to help you implement an engaging, play based curriculum

that STILL has your children meeting academic standards and benchmarks!