Jack Miller
Early Learning Bushby 2012
Junior School Report
Loris Malaguzzi (1920-1994) was the inspiration for the educational project of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Malaguzzi wrote of children:
"The child is made of one hundred.
The child has a hundred languages, a hundred hands, a hundred thoughts, a hundred ways of thinking, of playing, of speaking."
The principles of this project inspire and guide our learning through the early years at Scotch Oakburn. One of these principles, ‘the Hundred Languages’, embodies the belief that there are many, many ways to think and communicate. Our learning program actively encourages the exploration of many ‘languages’ through the medium of play.
Throughout the year, Jack has been encouraged to explore many ‘languages’ to communicate his thoughts, ideas and feelings. He has explored a range of experiences to promote the development of specific skills and concepts and to encourage confidence when communicating. Jack’s ability to take learning risks when experimenting with new resources and experiences and his confidence when exploring a range of ‘languages’ has significantly grown. I wish Jack ongoing success and achievement at his new school in 2013.
Bronwyn Bushby
We have been delighted to have Jack with us – he will be missed next year by his peers and teachers here. I wish him well in his future learning. Lachie Wright
Jack is developing a confident self identity. He can set his own challenges and pursue personal goals. Jack has definite likes and dislikes and he confidently asserts his capabilities. He can work independently and cooperate within a group. He seeks interaction and confidently initiates and maintains play experiences. Jack can express a wide range of emotions and can self-regulate his responses. He can think critically about fair and unfair and he displays patience and tolerance towards his peers. Jack is confidently exploring how to be a friend. He shows an interest in and concern for others and has positively contributed to play experiences. Jack established a close bond with his buddy, Nicholas. It has been wonderful to observe the strength of Jack’s social and emotional skill development.
The Language of Relationships
Why do we have writing?
Jack "I made a new book. I drawed some creatures in it and it was about insects…the name of the creatures."
The Language of Oral Communication
Jack enjoys very good skills of oral communication. His focus and concentration when listening is excellent and this has enabled him to efficiently process information, apply effective thought processes and offer quality responses. Jack’s contributions to morning meetings are original and spontaneous. He is able to give an opinion independent of peer influence and this has encouraged discussion amongst his peers. Jack can justify his thinking and explain, retell and describe. He is able to project his voice when speaking to an audience and monitor the volume of his voice during play and peer interactions.
The Language of Written Communication
Jack’s understanding of written text is developing well. He adores books and engages in a variety of texts but with very specific criteria for his book selections. Jack displays an interest in letters and is gaining confidence when engaging in the writing process. He has a good knowledge of rhyme and uses this when successfully completing oral cloze challenges.
The Language of Mathematics
Jack is developing a good understanding of mathematical language and concepts. He counts confidently and fluently with accurate one-to-one correspondence. He has a good grasp of the counting sequence to 10 and is developing his knowledge of the counting sequence 11-20. Jack has explored the concept of bundling and can accurately count bundles of sticks. He is gaining a strong awareness of the value of numbers and shows a keen interest in numerals in his environment.
The Language of Mathematics
Jack has enthusiastically explored patterning challenges and displays a good understanding of the concept of a repeating pattern. He capably creates ABAB repeating patterns and will persevere to continue creating and set himself new challenges. Jack has good knowledge of 2D shapes and their attributes. He can sort objects according to colour, size and shape.
The Language of Movement
Jack’s confidence when exploring the physical challenges of the outdoor learning environment has continued to grow throughout the year. Jack climbs with increasing fluency and steadiness. He balances on planks and stilts with greater control. Jack has been working hard on coordination of gross motor movements and his ability to jump feet together is developing. Jack has enjoyed much time on the trikes and is running with greater speed and agility.
The Language of Movement
Jack’s fine motor coordination skills are developing well. He has benefitted from experiences with play dough and clay that have strengthened finger and wrist muscles and Jack is able to successfully manipulate small pieces of equipment including puzzle pieces and construction equipment. Jack is developing an appropriate pencil grip and his control of drawing and writing equipment is developing steadily.
The Language of Painting
Jack’s enthusiasm for ‘the language of painting’ has steadily grown throughout the year. Increased participation has led to a growth in confidence and self-belief. Jack is often reluctant to begin a painting but once underway, his ideas are readily communicated through paint. Jack describes the story of his work using fluent, expressive language. He has explored elements of colour, line and shape through paint and he has successfully explored colour mixing challenges.
The Language of Drawing
Jack’s confidence to use the ‘language of drawing’ to record his thought s and ideas has developed throughout the year. His art pieces are reflecting greater control of materials and greater thought and planning. Jack’s drawings are more consistently reflecting a representational stage of development where recognisable symbols are created to represent people and objects in the work. He is beginning to use more colour and to select colours that are related to his art topics. Jack’s drawings are now communicating an entire story. "This is Poppy’s green boat and Poppy’s fishing line with a mummy shark, a daddy shark and a baby shark. There’s a storm coming. Thunder." (see above) The echidna sketch reveals Jack’s successful use of ‘drawing to learn’ to enhance understanding of his world.
Jack is curious and loves to find out information about animals, machinery, vehicles and dinosaurs. He asks lots of questions to gain greater knowledge, clarify his thinking and also deepen his understandings. Jack has displayed a commitment to learning projects and has been an enthusiastic participant in all shared learning discoveries.
The Language of Inquiry
Jack is connected to his world and shows respect for the environment. He is a confident and involved learner who shows a passion for finding out and who actively seeks answers. He has loved using communication technologies to access information and has delighted in sharing his discoveries with friends.
