Big+Ideas

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- a guide to inquiry play-based learning. Ministry of Education.

- taken from Saskatchewan Curriculum page 9 Environment, Conversation, Play

- ministry document

On this page
 * 1) What are "Big Ideas"?
 * 2) Some Examples of Big Ideas
 * 3) Using Big Ideas in the Classroom
 * 4) How to Plan for the Kindergarten Classroom

**1. What are "Big Ideas"?**
(from the Kindergarten Saskatchewan Curriculum 2010)

"Educators and children need to identify big ideas and questions for deeper understanding central to the children’s interests and the learning outcomes for Kindergarten.

Questions for deeper understanding are used to initiate and guide planning and give children direction for developing deep understandings about a topic. It is essential to develop questions that are evoked by children’s interests and have potential for rich and deep learning. The process of asking questions can help children to grasp the important ideas that are situated at the core of a particular curricular focus or context. These broad questions will lead to more specific questions that can provide a framework, purpose, and direction for the learning activities in an inquiry, and help children connect what they are learning to their experiences and life beyond school.

Effective questions for deeper understanding in Kindergarten are the key to initiating and guiding children’s investigations, critical thinking skills, problem solving, and reflection on their own learning. Effective questioning is essential for teaching and learning and should be an integral part of planning in Kindergarten. Questioning should also be used to encourage children to reflect on their own learning.

Inquiry learning provides children with opportunities to test theories and build knowledge, abilities, and inquiring habits of mind that lead to deeper understanding of the world and human experience. Thoughtful questioning by the educator and a well-designed environment can lead children to further inquiry. Building on children’s inherent sense of curiosity and wonder while drawing on their diverse backgrounds, interests, and experiences provides children with meaningful learning opportunities."

2. Some Examples of Big Ideas ...

 * Why is the ocean important? What makes an ocean?
 * Our Hands Can ...
 * Where Do I Live?
 * How Does Weather Affect Us?
 * How Can We Move Things?
 * How Do You Stay Safe?
 * Who Am I? How Am I the Same and How Am I Different than Other People?
 * What Scares Me?
 * How Do I Learn About the World Around Me?
 * How Do Other Countries Celebrate Christmas?
 * Why is it So Cold in the Winter?
 * Who are the People of the Past in Saskatchewan?
 * Why Do Things Start to Grow in the Spring?
 * What Makes a Rainbow?
 * What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up
 * What Makes Me Hungry for Learning?
 * What Makes Things Move?
 * What Makes Me Excited?
 * What is Leader? What Would it be Like to Lead a Country - Now and Long Ago?
 * What is the Earth Made Of?
 * Where Does Dirt Come From?
 * Why Does it Get Hot in the Summer?

**4. How to Plan for the Kindergarten Classroom**

 * [|An Effective Kindergarten Program] - see curriculum pages 4 to 10 - explains the many components of an effective program
 * [|An Effective Kindergarten Program in Action] - see curriculum pages 10 to 20 - excellent example of two different approaches to planning
 * Sun West Procedures
 * Year Plans
 * Term Summaries
 * [[file:KINDERGARTEN DISMISSAL.doc|Kindergarten Dismissal ]]- A graphic organizer for town and bus students
 * [[file:Classroom Behavior Management System Explaination.doc|Tracy's Classroom Behavior System]]
 * [[file:Sensory processing.doc|Information on Sensory Processing]]