Earlier Blog Piece My Year 1-2 students and I undertook inquiry learning into our local river and its creatures. We discovered much about the creatures who rely on the river for life, and also about some of the challenges caused by pollution. A small group of my students were particularly concerned that rubbish, likely dropped in and around our school, was one of the challenges facing the fish, ducks and other aquatic life in the river. I contacted the local Council to see if their education staff could help us take action, to both complete the cycle of Inquiry learning and to satisfy my students' desire to make a difference. The students wanted to create a series of signs, alerting local people to notice and pick up the rubbish they see, to reduce litter pollution. Over several weeks, we worked with a local council representative, writing letters and refining design ideas. The students presented their ideas at a local Council Community Board meeting, and after several mont...
Posts
I was invited to work with local engineer and planner, Mike Fisher, on a local inquiry project. Together, we planned and supported Year 1-2 students to: Undertake observations in their local community Think about and generate possible improvements Take action towards creating positive, local change Step 1: Empowering students to take ownership using question starters Students formed teams and reviewed photos of communities, observing and discussing features and conditions such as rubbish bins, lighting, footpaths and playground equipment. The noticed and shared positive and negatives. PROMPTING QUESTIONS THAT GUIDED STUDENTS' DISCUSSION What happened here? How do I get there? Why is that like that? Is it fun? Why? Why not? Is it looked after? Can a pram/wheelchair/bike/scooter get there? What happens in the Summer? What happens in the Winter? Who looks after it? Can I change it? Could I walk in bare feet or do I have to wear shoes? Do I feel sa...
] Linda & Sarah operate the Forest School in Auckland Interesting links and readings: Kimberley Crisp Play Pod UK Loose Parts & Learning example Decline in Play & the Rise in Child Mental Health Issues WHY is play based learning important? * Play allows for imagination and higher order thinking; as well as social skills and learning skills development (Key Competencies) * Play allows children to be curious, to follow their own URGE and then have a reason/purpose for learning * Improves inclusion * Time for child led play has been reduced since the 1980s with the advent of National Standards, increased parent work hours, television and internet / computers. The reduction of play correlates with a reduction in oral language skills in children, and a HUGE increase in mental health issues. * The weaker the oral language of students, the lower the achievement....if we can increase oral language through pla...
14 March 2016 The best moment of our day was after lunch. My NE class and I headed outside for a short PE session. three children got waylaid on route, having stopped to collect acorns. So we all stopped. And we went back. And we spent 10 full minutes collecting and then discussing what we know or what questions we have about acorns. Our thoughts: * they sometimes have a hat * they turn brown with the sun * the drop from the trees * there is something inside * they can grow into trees * we have to look after them because they are part of nature * if we squash one then it won't become a tree and our questions... * how long have they been there? * why do they fall? * where do seeds come from? You will pretty quickly see that most of the children's questions were answered by other children. Tuakana-teina and peer-led learning in action! Everyone was equal - all had a chance to share while all others listened. Everyone had something to say,...