Wind plus leaves = pure joy! 🍃😊 @AltonDarby pic.twitter.com/jcTJx026Ek
— Adrianna Kruse (@AdriannaKruse) November 18, 2015
Later on that afternoon, I was heading out to my recess duty a little early and noticed a group of kids playing in the same leaves. The kids ranged from 1st grade to 5th grade, but each was captivated by the "leaf tornado". One of the kids noticed I had stopped to watch them having fun and said, "We were wondering if leaves turned into soil or compost when they die?".
"What does everyone think?" I asked.
"Well, I think they turn into compost and he thinks they turn into soil," the student replied.
With a smile, I asked, "What's the difference between compost and soil?"
"I don't know."
Ah, the perfect response for starting a learning opportunity!
"I have an idea. Let's ask Wonderopolis if they know the answer," I suggested.
I told the kids that there is a website called Wonderopolis that has hundreds of posts questions, or wonders, that kids have asked. They post information including videos and resources that help answer the "wonder".
I took a picture of the kids standing in the leaves and tweeted Wonderopolis:
Our kids are wondering if leaves turn into compost or soil? They wanted to see if @Wonderopolis had the answer. pic.twitter.com/npizx3xoCr
— AltonDarbyElementary (@AltonDarby) November 18, 2015
Wonderopolis is great about interacting with others! Here's what they said later on that day --
@AltonDarby (1/2) Great question! We don't have that exact Wonder, but you can submit it to the Wonder Bank! https://t.co/gKD0PqFRop
— Wonderopolis (@Wonderopolis) November 18, 2015
@AltonDarby (2/2) Also, check out Wonder #741: WHAT IS COMPOST? https://t.co/hUW6MB2F5s
— Wonderopolis (@Wonderopolis) November 18, 2015
While this is a great example of recognizing when we can take learning further, it actually made me reflect on the way kids learn and make sense of their world.
Kids are naturally curious.
They ask lots of questions, they create their own hypotheses, and work out meaning through play.
As adults and educators, we need to remind ourselves that kids are naturally curious and build off of that.
How much would our unit or lesson plans change if we started with the fact that kids are naturally curious?
How much more would the learning experiences we create for kids reflect inquiry and build on a sense of wonder?
We should commit ourselves to letting the curiosity and wonder of children inspire us to create learning experiences that fuel their learning.
Here's to fueling the wonder and curiosity of kids!
Have a GREAT week!
-Herb
Articles Worth Reading --
When Students Drive Improvement
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/jun15/vol72/num09/When-Students-Drive-Improvement.aspx
Service Learning: Growing Action from the Roots of Passion
Real-World Problem Solving: Project-Based Solutions
Video Worth Watching --
Upcoming Dates --
Nov 23 - Board Meeting at ADE (Preschool is hosting in Cafeteria)
Nov 25-27 Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec 1 - BIT Meeting -- Please have your wish list items submitted by Dec 1 to be considered by PTO.
Dec 2 - Yearbook Picture Day; ADE Staff Meeting, 8:00 AM - Media Center
Dec 3 - Admin Meeting (Herb)
Dec 7 - PTO Meeting, 7PM
Dec 8 - 3rd Grade ELA State Assessment; Steering Committee Meeting, 3:45 - ADE Media Center
Dec 9 - Spec Ed Team Meeting, 12:30; IAT Meeting, 3:45
Dec 10 - PD Series by Donna - "Dealing with Challenging Children", 3:45 ADE Media Center
Dec 11 - KG Toys for Tots Fire Station Visit
Dec 16 - ADCC Staff Meeting, 3:40 - ADE Media Center
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