Innovation in K-2 - Is it Enough?

Hi there and thank you for taking the time to read my first ever blog post! As an early career teacher, I view this blog as a great way to think "out loud" regarding my understanding of the education field. I have come a long way from where I started three years ago but still have so much to learn!

The fact that I have so much to learn about education is one of the main factors that lead me to the Professional Master of Education program at Queen's University. I have realized, through having the opportunity to work with more experienced and seasoned teachers, that it is important to listen to what they have to say! At 25, I absolutely do not know it all (nor do I pretend to). Of course, I have a certain approach with my students, but I have learned to seek advice whenever possible.

In June 2018, I finished the year teaching a K/1 split class. This was a long term supply position (I was in the room from early February until the end of June). I am so thankful for this experience - while at times it was challenging, it prepared me for the realities that come with a full-time classroom. I have learned that teaching at the primary grade levels requires a certain amount of patience and understanding.

Going into the fall, I will have my own classroom for the year. I will be teaching Kindergarten. I have had the experience of some people telling me "how easy" it will be. I know that this is not the case. My school district is moving in a new direction when it comes to the K-2 grade levels. In my opinion, the approach is very innovative, and I enjoyed my experience with it.

Let me explain: in K-2 classrooms, students will be expected to spend less time sitting quietly and listening. The expectation will not necessarily be sheet work. Instead, the district is moving in a more "play based" direction. Students will engage in "purposeful play" - which requires different stations to be set up in the classroom. For example, in my classroom this past year, I had a pizza restaurant station. Students are to choose a "role" (chef, customer, cashier, etc) and play accordingly, with the chef creating pizzas and the cashier accepting payment. Students are also provided with all of the tools necessary for the pizza restaurant setting (costumes, toy ovens and cash register, for example).

In my opinion, students gain much more out of this learning style than the more "old school" approach. Through the pizza restaurant (I have seen some teachers introduce vet clinics, grocery stores and more) students practice their social skills, math skills, oral language, along with the basic understanding of how a restaurant works. Purposeful play can be extended to focus on many different subject areas such as science (we had a fossil station at my school).

This is the direction in which my district is currently taking the K-2 curriculum, as they feel a change in these pivotal early years needed to be made. Personally, I am a fan of this innovative approach. However, this was also my first full-time experience in a K-2 classroom. While this approach seems to be promising, how can we be sure that it is working? I am interested to know the opinions of my readers. Have you tried this approach? Do you think it is a step in the right direction?

As an early career teacher, I find myself asking how far we should go with innovation in early education. While purposeful play is great, with the way that our society is moving with technology, should we incorporate more technology into these early grades/playful experiences?

Thank you for reading and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Casey