Genius Hour is a concept started by Google. Simply put, it is the belief that employees (or in this case, students) thrive when given the opportunity to research, learn, and develop projects that are of individual interest. We've taken this concept and applied it to the classroom. Twice a week, students are given the opportunity to conduct Genius Hour projects. These can be on any topic, and can be researched in any way. It truly emphasizes the importance of personal motivation in relation to learning. In Kindergarten, individual research projects are not developmentally appropriate. Instead, we conduct a group research project surrounding the students' wonders and inquiries. This week, we've been researching the concept of light. It started with this simple provocation: What is something you wonder about our classroom? We're learning to be good Inquirers during our unit of inquiry this week, so we've been practicing coming up with good questions. But what is a good question without a good answer? To find that good answer, we utilized Genius Hour. After some discussion, a few of the students developed the following inquiry: Why does the sun blind us through the window? As a class, we discussed how the sun creates light and how we can see that light through our windows. Students then began to wonder why the light was so much brighter coming through our back windows, so we developed a plan of action to find an answer. First, we created a hypothesis: The sun is brighter coming through the back windows because the sun is on that side of the building. Then, we developed an experiment: To test our hypothesis, we would go outside and find the placement of the sun. Finally, we got our results: The sun was behind the building, so that's why the light was brighter. We got the results we were looking for, but in the process, sparked another conversation about shadows. Students discovered while outdoors that the trees blocked part of the sunlight, and that the light we saw coming through the windows was unblocked. To investigate further, we got out flashlights, black paper, and white paper. The students then experimented with how light passed through the white paper versus the black paper. They discovered that the light passed easily through the white paper, but that it didn't pass through the black paper. They determined this was due to the color and the fact that the black paper was thicker. Then, the students began to wonder what would happen if we turned out our classroom lights. They discovered that the flashlights were easier to see, which prompted a search for other light sources and how we could block them. We closed the classroom door, turned out our lamps, and turned out the bathroom light as well. Around this time, one of the students realized that the light can pass through the black paper if the room is dark enough and the flashlight is close enough. The student then observed that this makes the paper look like outer space! Finally, the students discovered how to create shadows. They observed that the shadows were more visible on the white paper than the black, and that shadows on the wall were bigger than shadows on the table. They experimented with different light angles, number of fingers, and shapes to change what the shadows looked like, and some even created stories to go along with their shadow pictures. We've had a great time exploring light - I wonder what the students will discover next?
0 Comments
What an incredible first week! Our days were filled with Play-Doh, sorting, counting, singing, and lots of fun! We practiced writing our names (and even the names of some friends!), as well as learning the letters A, S, M, and T. As part of our Unit of Inquiry, we discussed what it means to be a good communicator, and created visual representations of what that could look like. The students LOVED dramatic play, and have enjoyed quiet time after lunch and recess as a way to reset before the afternoon. We started the week by creating our Essential Agreement, which reflects what we value and hope to achieve in our classroom. The students brainstormed ideas, and then we connected them to our Learner Profile traits before writing everything out and using our fingerprints to sign. Play-Doh was a fan favorite this week, with students creating different letters, numbers, and even visual representations of themselves! We started our mornings with the provocation "What can you make?," and the students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to express themselves through Play-Doh. Another popular choice was the pattern blocks, which we introduced on Wednesday. The students enjoyed creating pictures using the blocks, and blew me away with their shape knowledge! We inquired into how we could use the different pattern blocks to make the same shape as the yellow hexagon, and the students explored before coming up with their own solutions. We played, made art, and created stories using the shells, rocks, and animals. We even had a special visit from Mr. Simon! Students have started to recognize letters from our language arts station, and are continuing to enjoy creating using materials such as crayons, pencils, and markers. There's so much creativity and talent with this group! Our students had a great first week of kindergarten, and they're so excited for next week to start! In fact, some of them loved school so much that they decided to play school during dismissal, taking turns being the teacher and singing our morning song as a group. It was wonderful to see!
Today, we read "Our Class is a Family." The students connected to the text, as we have our own 'school family' here as well. This group is going to do amazing things this year, and I look forward to all the wonderful learning that will happen along the way! We had our first day of kindergarten - hooray! We sang, laughed, played games, and learned names. Messes were made, and questions were asked - questions which we hope to find the answers to throughout our school year together. Some highlights of our day today included playing outside (always a favorite), creating covers for our Take Home folders, and exploring the center materials. Students got plenty of name writing practice, and everyone is doing great so far! Students particularly enjoyed our math center activities, which currently include shells, rocks, animals, and pattern blocks. Some students enjoyed using the pattern blocks to create pre-designed pictures, while others preferred to use the blocks to make their own creations! Some of the students used the various materials to create elaborate scenes, where some students played as animals and used the shells and rocks to create environments for them. At times, even the storage baskets were being used as modes of transport for the animals to move from one environment to another! Although we made quite a mess, the students were very principled and sorted everything back into its' proper basket when it was time to clean up. Finally, the students had plenty of time outdoors. They enjoyed climbing trees, playing on the swing set, and burying things in the sandbox. A few of the students demonstrated how to be caring by pushing one another on the swings, and others encouraged their friends to be risk-takers by showing them how to climb the tree. It's only day one, and our students are already embodying what it means to be an IB PYP learner! Overall, we had a great first day, and I couldn't be prouder of our kindergarten students. It's going to be an amazing year!
The idea of the classroom environment as the third teacher comes from the Reggio-Emilia approach to teaching and learning. Simply put, the idea of the environment as the third teacher means that the classroom setup and materials available greatly impact student learning. Materials are age-appropriate and easily accessible, and students are encouraged to use them in a variety of ways. Below, you'll find photos of our classroom as well as text describing the various environments student can interact with on a daily basis. A successful classroom environment invites exploration, inquiry, and discovery. First up is our art center. The art center is stocked with crayons, markers, and eventually, paint. Students have access to these materials at all times, and are encouraged to use them in creative ways. Collaborative art can often be seen on the easel, where students work together to create meaningful art and creations.
Next is our classroom library. The library is currently stocked with books about school and starting kindergarten. These books will be rotated out each week to coincide with what we're learning in other areas. The library also has several pillows, stuffies, rugs, and puppets - all available for student use to aid in reading and learning. Following the library is out inquiry table, where we study our current unit of inquiry. At the moment, we're digging into the IB Learner Profile, and how that affects and guides out relationships. There are materials available on the table to invite inquiry, as well as the board above to guide discussions. Continuing on around the classroom, we come across the dramatic play area. Stocked with kitchen supplies, play horses, flowers, and a sensory table, students are invited to create scenarios to act out and enjoy. The center of our classroom is the carpet area, which also houses our math and reading materials. These shelves hold various activities to prompt learning, and students are expected to use them respectfully and put them away neatly after each use. These open-ended materials - such as buttons, shells, and rocks - allow the students to create their own learning, rather than practicing a specific skill. Finally, a look at our classroom as a whole. The tables allow for small group learning, and the flexible seating means students are constantly encountering new perspectives. Each day students are greeted with a provocation and some simple materials, which begins our day as an invitation to inquire and learn. Our classroom is much more than just a place to complete worksheets - it's an integral part of the students' day, and without it, their learning could not occur. Today, I want to talk about something that's near and dear to every child's heart (and honestly, to the kid in all of us) – the magic of play! If you've ever watched kids at play, you know they are the masters of turning even the simplest objects into extraordinary adventures. A cardboard box becomes a rocket ship, a pile of cushions transforms into a fortress, and a few sticks make for the most epic swords ever! But beyond just being adorable and entertaining, play is actually an essential part of a child's development. It's not just a way to pass the time or keep them busy while we catch up on our own stuff (guilty as charged!). Nope, playtime is serious business for our little ones' growth and well-being. First off, let's talk about cognitive development. When kids play, they're not just having fun; they're learning. Whether it's a game of building blocks or a make-believe tea party, their brains are making all sorts of connections and firing up those synapses like crazy. Problem-solving, creativity, imagination – it's all happening right there! And it's not just the brain that benefits; play also works wonders for physical development. Running around, jumping, climbing – all that activity is keeping those tiny muscles and bones strong and healthy. But wait, there's more! Playtime is also a fantastic opportunity for kids to develop socially and emotionally. When they engage in pretend play with their friends, they learn about taking turns, sharing, and cooperating. It's like a mini-masterclass in teamwork and communication. Plus, play can be an emotional outlet for kids, allowing them to work through feelings and experiences in a safe and imaginative way. Although it's tempting to fill every moment with structured activities and screen time, don't underestimate the power of unstructured play. Letting kids explore, create, and play on their own terms is like giving them the keys to their own little universe. It fosters independence, builds confidence, and lets their individuality shine. And hey, it gives us a chance to take a breath and maybe even join in on the fun! So, let's remember the importance of play in our kids' lives. Let's embrace the mess, the noise, and the sheer joy that comes with seeing them play freely. Whether it's a game of hide-and-seek or a full-blown make-believe adventure, let's encourage their imaginations to run wild and their spirits to soar. After all, childhood is a magical time, and play is the enchanting wand that makes it all the more memorable! |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
May 2024
Categories |