Kindergarteners look for signs of nature in concrete world
Print Edition
LIGHTS, iPads, action!
Picture the scene. A group of kindergarten students, iPads in hands, critically examining the Early Years playground for signs of nature. At this point it became clear that exploring nature was not going to be a straightforward task. Nonetheless, our intrepid explorers sought out and revealed a bug paradise beneath the bushes surrounding the Early Years playground. This discovery of nature beneath our very feet led to the creation of a Bug Mansion outside our classrooms.
Nature was coming closer to our classrooms and the lives of the children but our colorful, bright and shiny playground was somewhat out of tune with nature. This posed an important question. What was our playground missing? The kindergarten students were determined to find out what was missing and to take action. Initially, there was a lack of interest, a feeling of being too small or too young to be heard, as if their voices were too insignificant to matter. But action comes in all sizes and with the collective voices of all the kindergarteners, that voice will be heard — and it was heard. Their voices spoke through their drawings, through their persuasive letters, through their artwork and was expressed from their hearts with a goal; the goal of bringing nature to Early Years. One insightful student commented that, “we will be in first grade when the playground is changed but the new kinder kids will see it and appreciate it.” Such a selfless approach epitomizes what we strive to develop through the IB program.
When students engage and demonstrate action in a real life situation, that has a personal significance, we as educators can pause, and smile. Our students have discovered they are the voice of change. They have discovered that their ideas are important; therefore they are important. Personally, I feel that this is our main role as educators: empowering students to take ownership over their own learning to make that experience significant and challenging.
Seeing the first graders returning to Early Years playground brought forth a reflective moment for all. Hence the cycle of plan, act, reflect comes to a natural completion.
I now pass the baton of change onto this year’s kindergarten students and I ask, what is your plan of action?
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