In my last entry I described a game in which the students observe a box and predict what is on the inside. What purpose do these activities serve in an elementary classroom? I grew up in a time, and I think many of us have, when we got ready for our school science fair every year. We would each come up with an hypothesis. We would employ the scientific method, create our tri-fold poster, and present. Job well done. But what about if we challenged the traditional science fair hypothesis tradition, and embraced instead what Matt Bobrowsky argues, that “science projects are more authentic with no ‘hypothesis’” (Bobrowsky, 2015).
Instead, we as educators can use the POE method: Predict, Observe, Explain. In this method students, Bobrosky argues, do not skew their results to fit what their hypothesis is, and engage in real learning to explain what they observe. This becomes a celebration of learning instead of a box to tick.
This kind engagement will really prepare our students for the future and perhaps inspire new discovery by fostering a love of learning.
Coming from a liberal arts background the phrase “scientific observation” was slightly intimidating. However, when I began to understand that scientific observation can take the form of a sweet child wandering around her yard looking for evidence of fairies I was heartened.
As an elementary teacher I can create activities that encourage my students to use all of their senses (maybe minus taste) to observe the world around them.
Here is an activity I learned in my Science Curriculum class that illustrates this exactly. To play, the teacher divides the class into 6 groups. Each group has a recording sheet and a numbered box. The group members use their senses to observe and predict what is inside the box. After each group has had each box the teacher reveals what is inside each box. This is a great game to play with all ages as I fully enjoyed it as an adult.
Reading did not come easily for me. You could say I was a striving reader for sure. I remember feeling very embarrassed any time we had to take turns doing out loud reading. Up and down the rows of desks each student would have to take a turn to read a paragraph. I remember counting how many classmates were ahead of me, then counting ahead in the book, and practicing my paragraph over and over again to make sure I did not stumble over any words that would elicit little sniggers. Sniggers that were silent to our teacher, but deafening to me. I never remembered what was read because I was hyper focused on perfection.
My dad would spend time, when he was home from extended work trips, sitting with me and reading. Looking back I cherish those times together and I value the effort, but it was never enough to help me catch up to my classmates.
Needless to say I was a late bloomer.
But then I found A Handful of Time by Kit Pearson. I do not remember the miraculous circumstances that brought this book to me, but somehow I found a book that I could not put down. I was hooked. Between the relatable heroine, the relatable content, and the time travel I had found the book that turned me into a reader.
Reading Interest Survey
(adapted from Sometimes Reading is Hard by Adrienne Gear)
How do you feel about reading?
Little did I know at the time that I would think back to A Handful of Time and wonder if I could ever find another that engaged me so thoroughly. I am happy to report that I have indeed found others that continue to make me love reading. I find non-fiction books a lot harder to get into than fiction. If I have non-fiction books to read I do a lot better with audio books. I often wonder if I still struggle with decoding, or if I have dyslexia.
I makes me wonder if I would have fallen in love with reading a little earlier if my teachers had done Read Alouds which would have introduced me to literary worlds far earlier than I was able to visit on my own. Read Alouds were first introduced to me by Molly Ness’ book, Read Alouds for all Learners, which uses Jerrett Lerner’s great poster on the left.
What types of books do you like to read?
https://www.amightygirl.com/
Is it any wonder that my first love instilled in me a love a previous time? I love historical fiction. If you add in some mystery and a female protagonist I am hooked! I love A Mighty Girl for great resources for books featuring female protagonists.
List some hobbies and activities you like to do outside of school.
I love to be active and cozy in equal measure. I love to cross-country ski, mountain bike, walk my dogs, lift weights, and spin. But then I love a hot bath followed by cozy pyjamas, and to watch a good show, read a book, do cross-stich, or attempt to water colour paint (this is a new hobbie and it is not to be congratulated in any way shape or form).
Every once and awhile my family will agree on a movie (it gets tricky when you have a 9 year old and an almost 17 year old!) and we will all get cozy together. Otherwise I love to be with my family even if we are all doing our own thing (parallel play 2.0).
Who are your favorite authors?
Kate Quinn, Martha Hall Kelly, L.M. Montgomery, and J.K. Rowling (her kids books more so than her adult books).
I just finished The Ickabog by J.K. Rowling. I really enjoyed it. The story was engaging and I think it would be good for a lot of young readers. Particularly those readers who are not drawn to sentimental stories. But….
Before that I read, for the first time ever (!!!), Anne of Green Gables. I cannot believe I have gone my whole life without reading that book. My mom and I watched the CBC show when I was little, but I never read the books.
My family got me the rest of the series for Christmas so I will be diving into those next.
What I did over Christmas Break?
I worked as an EA from December 1-19. Then I did almost all the things I love to do around the holidays. I baked cookies, watched many Christmas movies (though I did not get to them all because of the aforementioned movie negotiation with the children), spent time with my family, exercised, and slept!
What subjects or topics do you like learning about?
I like learning about various wars through the perspective of women. I like to learn about gardening. I also love to flip through magazines that are all about interior and exterior home design.
If you could read a book about one thing, what would that be?
I would love to find more historical fiction written by authors who tell women’s stories. I feel like I have run out of books and I am always waiting for Quinn or Kelly to write more! I also want to learn more about indoor gardening because our climate is too cold for year-round growing.
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