Study of Wind and Water

Good Morning! With another snow day upon us, I thought I'd share with you what our students have been studying in this New England winter wonderland! For the past 6 weeks, students have been investigating the various effects and properties of wind and water. The recent blizzard has made teaching this unit feel extremely relevant and authentic. Students have investigated the best ways to dry their wet winter clothes, how to identify materials that will repel water (see below) and what happens when snow and ice melts.

This unit of study lends itself wonderfully to sensory-rich and inquiry-based center activities that allow students to touch, ask and wonder about the materials they are using and the processes they are observing. In the art center, students used ice cubes instead of paintbrushes to create brushstrokes of watercolor. The results were beautiful! But most importantly, students were enthralled by how the colors mixed and changed as the ice melted (see below).

Due to the broad scope of this unit, we have been able to incorporate students' interests and extend or eliminate particular lessons based on our students' level of engagement. With that said, we have been able to incorporate our students' love of animals into the unit by discussing how animals stay safe, dry and warm during storms and winter, why animals need water and what happens when there is not enough water. Several pieces of children's literature complimented our study very well, including the following:

There is no better way to survive a long winter with an engaging unit of study that provokes students' curiosity and sense of wonder! Check in soon to read about how we are celebrating Black History Month in our classroom.

Welcome!

After three snow days, I begin to miss my classroom and my kiddos, which inspired me to begin writing about them both! My story begins in Washington, D.C. where I began my teaching career at a Title 1 district school that was in the process of pursuing IB (International Baccalaureate) authorization. As a first year teacher, I was inundated with various philosophies, curriculum and ideas about teaching young children, but was particularly drawn to the inquiry-based framework of the IB Primary Years Programme. As I study and learn about various early childhood frameworks, I continue to find that through exploration in a structured, safe and joyful environment my students  flourish academically and emotionally. I have carried this belief with me to my current school, an in-district turnaround charter school, where we are doing transformational work after only 1 year! I enjoy being part of a Pre-K team that believes in developing children's executive function, social skills and higher order thinking to prepare them for lifelong success and happiness. The purpose of this blog is to share with and learn from educators and parents who wish the same for their children and students. Thank you for visiting and I hope you will check back in soon!