I loved this last week at Hickman--we were working on life sciences and scientific observations. My teacher had ordered fish, worms, and some type of bug for our classroom. I was grossed out by the bugs (luckily they're still in the box), but I loved helping with the fish! My kids have completed several observations since then about seeds they planted, the fish, and worms. It was so much fun to see the kids squeal at the fish as they swam around the container. I loved hearing how the guppies had to be baby fish because they were smaller than the goldfish. They ooh-ed at the fish that swam upside down in circles and were very sad when one of the guppies died, calling him a "small grandpa fish".
The best part was the worms, though! In I-time, I had the kids create their own imaginary worms, talking about where they like to live and how they look. Then, I let them hold the worms. I was so proud of myself because my mentor teacher refused to touch them. He lifted them up with a fork, but then I took over and gave the kids each their own worm! Since I knew they would be afraid to touch the worm if I didn't show them it was okay, I jumped right in. I immediately had flashbacks to my own elementary school days playing in the mud. I loved seeing the kids react to the squirming worms the second they touched them. Some of them even flung the worms out of surprise! On Friday, I then had my students describe their experience holding the worms. It was hilarious how many of them described the worm as yucky and disgusting but said they loved holding it. Several of them even asked me if they could take some worms home with them.
The whole worm experience reminded me about how much I love giving my students new experiences. I adore seeing them try new things and watching the shocked amazement on their faces. To me, that is one of the best joys of being a teacher. What are some fun things you have seen your kids do for the first time?
That sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteBecause Eakin is an IB school, they have units every few weeks. This unit is on "how you organize oneself" so the students are working on a "wagon train journey." The students are split up into wagon trains and are traveling from different cities to Nashville. They had to calculate the amount of days it would take depending on the distance, the supplies they would bring and solve many different possible situations. It is so awesome to see the students research and work together to complete this unit. In fact, I find it to be really fun and love getting into it with them!
That sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteBecause Eakin is an IB school, they have units every few weeks. This unit is on "how you organize oneself" so the students are working on a "wagon train journey." The students are split up into wagon trains and are traveling from different cities to Nashville. They had to calculate the amount of days it would take depending on the distance, the supplies they would bring and solve many different possible situations. It is so awesome to see the students research and work together to complete this unit. In fact, I find it to be really fun and love getting into it with them!
We had a bubblegum and bubbles day. The students were allowed to chew bubblegum during story time and at the end of the day when they were watching Magic School Bus. I had to actually explain to them how to chew gum! We just got plants and the students are planting beans for the first time. They had to touch the slimy seeds after we submerged them in water and then they had to fill their pots and plant. I was so surprised that none of the students actually asked what the plants were. They all just assumed they were magic beans (lol).
ReplyDeleteHehe, that's great how they loved holding the yucky worms! I love it when my students clap after hearing a story for the first time. I or my field mentor will finish reading and then they'll quietly clap in awe and appreciation. I love how it shows they enjoy stories and books and wonder.
ReplyDelete