One of my favorite things about being a guide is when I witness learners making connections between their learning and the real world. This session, Spark has been studying the Earth, what makes it special, and ways to take care of it. From investigating their carbon footprint to making their own rain cloud to exploring insects and their life cycles through caterpillar observations, Spark learners have been knee-deep in hands-on learning. Through this learning, I have seen countless connections being made. I want to share a few of these connections that were made on our most recent field trip to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
On the walk from school to the Metro station, a learner stopped walking to pick something up from the ground. I gently nudged her to keep walking so as not to hold up the line. She caught up and yelled “I was trying to pick up some trash!” I continued hearing learners calling out when they noticed trash on the ground and listened as they brainstormed ways to address this problem. By the end of lunch, one learner had collected a handful of trash and was so proud to show it off.
While strolling through the Lights Out exhibit, learners came across a section noting the dangers of lights on migration patterns. As they read about birds getting distracted by the lights from skyscrapers, one of our youngest learners remembered The Adventures of Theo, a story we had recently read about protecting the sea turtles. He said “It is just like the sea turtles!”, making the connection that lights lead sea turtles away from the ocean just like city lights distract the birds from their flight path. I often wonder how much is being comprehended during our read-alouds at the end of the day. We’re tired, hungry, and ready to go home. But this learner was engaged and walked away with knowledge that they wanted to hold on to.
Near the very end of their self-tour, a group of learners came across a giant globe that was playing a video. It was all about the impact humans have on the environment. One of the learners watching said “We need to get all of Spark to see this. This is what we have been talking about all session!” I smiled with excitement. Not only was I excited that she was making the connection to our session-long study of the environment, but that she wanted to share with the rest of the studio. I can’t think of a better way to show someone is curious and involved in their own learning than someone who is eagerly demanding everyone else know what she just learned.
I’m so grateful to be a part of The Village School, where learning beyond the classroom is valued. I have learned the projects we create, the launches we share, and the stories we read hold more weight than we give ourselves credit for. Children are listening. They are observant. I encourage you to slow down from the hustle and bustle of daily life and listen. You might get the chance to hear one of these connections. They can be so easy to miss–but the joy that comes when you hear one made is immense.
villageschoolnova.blog 