Junior & Senior Kindergarten
I have recently worked at Calgary Montessori Bonavista and Vancouver Talmud Torah teaching senior kinder. I was also fortunate to have a practicum teaching Senior Kindergarten Killarney Montessori School in Calgary.
During my time at The International School of Macao, I taught Senior and Junior kindergarten classes during summer school in 2016 and 2017. This school had a very active social media and blogging culture, which gave parents a window into the students school day. These pictures show my summer school classrooms as well as my passion for inquiry infused play based education.
Arctic Inquiry
During our arctic animals unit students became enamored with beluga wales. This led us studying arctic sea animals more closely and creating an interactive display showing animals from the region. Students also made a beluga costume to sing "Baby Beluga" for our peers.
The Calming Centre
In order to help students learn self-regulating techniques students co-created a calming centre. This special area was rich in folliage, which created a private area that students could practice deescalating techniques.
Feeling our Environment
JK and SK teachers noticed that during our weekly water days students were "afraid" of getting dirty. During recess and outdoor time students also didn't want to interact with outdoor elements. I was so proud of my SK class in taking part in creating a mud house centre during a water fun day. Students made the house, as well as mixed our special mud recipe.
Designing Our Learning Spaces Through Creative Inquiry.
I am driven to help students feel more engaged in class by co-creating inquiry units. You can see their pride when they make unique and creative projects that mirror and continue to grow their learning experiences.
Fashion Design
Students put their creativity and innovative designs to the test in this fashion design summer course for students from SK-Grade. 2. We learnt from industry experts as well as visited the sewing district of our city to buy materials and get a better idea about fashion design in our vibrant city. We celebrated our learning with a fashion show for parents and peers.
​Maikala Harris
B.A / B.Ed