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Blog - My Play Based Classroom

Hi there!

I'm Janelle - a play-based early years teacher passionate about creating learning experiences that ignite curiosity, creativity, and academic growth.

On this blog, I share practical tips on meeting curriculum benchmarks through a balance of explicit teaching and play, setting up the ideal learning environment and fostering social-emotional development.

Let’s make play-based teaching work in your your preschool, kindergarten, and first grade classrooms!

Explicit teaching
Investigations and play
Classroom Environment
Social and Emotional
Planning For the First Week of School in Kindergarten
Planning For the First Week of School in Kindergarten

Feeling overwhelmed planning for your first week of kindergarten? Discover my proven tips and download my real-life planning to help you start the Foundation Stage school year with confidence!

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Explicit Teaching, InvestigationsJanelle22 January 2021planning, play based, back to school, kindergarten Comments
DIY Play Bandages
DIY Play Bandages
InvestigationsJanelle McArdle21 October 2020handmade, investigations, playbased Comment
3 Steps to Setting Up Learning Provocations for Play based Learning
3 Steps to Setting Up Learning Provocations for Play based Learning

Follow these 3 easy steps to set up an engaging and educational learning provocation. Learn how to create intentional, engaging spaces that focus on the curriculum and children’s developmental needs.

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Investigations, Classroom EnvironmentJanelle McArdle19 August 2020environment as the third teacher, investigations, playbased, play based, provocations Comments
How To Run A Tuning-in Session
How To Run A Tuning-in Session

The tuning-in session is an important part of the play-based classroom's daily morning routine. It is a 15 to 20 minute designated time used to focus on the current learning intentions, build relationships with the focus children, set photographer and reporter tasks and also model and scaffold desired learning outcomes.

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InvestigationsJanelle McArdle2 August 2020investigations, playbased, play based, provocations Comments
What is a Learning Provocation?
What is a Learning Provocation?

Discover what a learning provocation is and how to use it in your play-based classroom. Learn the difference between a learning invitation and a learning provocation, with real examples, tips, and strategies to spark curiosity and support curriculum goals.

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InvestigationsJanelle McArdle22 July 2020environment as the third teacher, inquiry, investigations, playbased, play based, planning, provocationsComment
How to Make Weather Gnomes
How to Make Weather Gnomes
InvestigationsJanelle McArdle6 July 2020handmade, investigations, play based, playbased, provocations, science, small worldComment
Classroom Photographer Child
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.

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InvestigationsJanelle McArdle10 June 2020inquiry, literacy, planning, play based, social and emotional, walker learning Comment
Personalised Writing Goals
Personalised Writing Goals

Want to improve your student’s writing skills? Use personalised writing goals! Learn how to set achievable and challenging writing goals to improve your children’s writing skills and download my free writing goal template.

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Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle19 May 2020Daily 5, literacy, writingComment
Teaching Sight Words
Teaching Sight Words

Teaching sight words or high frequency words is still essential for early readers to build fluency and confidence. The Science of Reading isn’t just about decoding! Teachers still need to help their children learn sight words.

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Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle28 April 2020Daily 5, literacy, reading, sight words Comment
The Peace Table
The Peace Table

The Peace Table is your solution to managing classroom conflicts effectively. The Montessori-inspired Peace Table teaches children self-regulation and conflict resolution strategies they can use in the classroom and the home to foster inner calm and share peace with others.

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Classroom Environment, Social and EmotionalJanelle McArdle24 March 2020social and emotional, social skills, early childhood, teaching, Montessori Comments
DIY Kids Easter Hats Ideas for School
DIY Kids Easter Hats Ideas for School

Looking for fun and easy DIY kids Easter hat ideas for school? Discover step-by-step tips, creative hat inspiration, and free planning resources to make your Easter Hat Parade a success!

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Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle17 March 2020Easter, early childhood, art, makerspace, easter hatsComment
Short 10 Week Term Planner
Short 10 Week Term Planner
Explicit Teaching, InvestigationsJanelle McArdle12 March 2020play based learning, term planning, teacher planning, curriculum planning, Australian curriculum, ACARA, back to school, planning, early childhoodComment
Using Affirmations to Develop a Growth Mindset for Children
Using Affirmations to Develop a Growth Mindset for Children

Learn how to use affirmations to build a growth mindset for children with my easy classroom routines, examples, and resources to boost student confidence and resilience.

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Social and EmotionalJanelle McArdle4 March 2020early years, early childhood, growth mindset, social skills, social and emotional Comment
Phonemic Awareness Game - Cross the River
Phonemic Awareness Game - Cross the River
Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle13 February 2020literacy, phonics, phonological awareness, playbased, reading, writingComment
Weekly Timetable for My Play-based Classroom
Weekly Timetable for My Play-based Classroom
Explicit Teaching, InvestigationsJanelle McArdle29 January 2020investigations, literacy, maths, planning, playbased, provocations, play based Comments
Kid-friendly Classroom Plants
Kid-friendly Classroom Plants
Classroom EnvironmentJanelle13 January 2020early childhood, environment as the third teacher Comments
How to Make a Wet Felted Play Mat
How to Make a Wet Felted Play Mat
InvestigationsJanelle McArdle14 August 2019handmade, play based, sensory, small world Comments
Setting Up A Tinkering Space for Your Classroom
Setting Up A Tinkering Space for Your Classroom

Create a purposeful and engaging tinkering space in your early years classroom with this practical guide. Learn what a tinkering space is, how to set one up, and why it supports STEM, problem-solving, and creativity in young children.

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Investigations, Classroom EnvironmentJanelle McArdle17 July 2019tinkering, early childhood, fine motor, play based classroom, play based Comments
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janelle is a play based early years teacher
 

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!

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