Collaboration

Magical things happen when students collaborate across grade levels. The past few weeks, my second graders have been learning and creating books and hands-on activity tubes all about creation. We've gone through all seven days, one by one. 

I wanted the students to have a meaningful way to share what they learned. I teamed up with the kindergarten teacher at my school because each of us has 19 students...what a perfect fit!

On Friday, we hosted the kindergartners in our classroom. We teamed up as partners (one kindergarten student with one second grader. The second grader read their books to the kindergarten buddy and also had questions for them as they went through the story. They also shared their creation tube that showed different items created on each day of creation. Afterwards, we all came together. I asked them about each of the different days of creation and what God created on each day. If the kindergarten student couldn't remember, their buddy was able to support them and help them out. 

We enjoyed snacks for each of the creation days. 
Day one: an Oreo (for light separating darkness)
Day two: a small cup of water (for God separating the water above and below with the sky)
Day three: some flower shaped cereal pieces
Day four: star shaped snacks
Day five: goldfish 
Day six: animal crackers
Day seven: we did not represent the day of rest with a snack

My students took their projects home to share with their families. The reaction from the families was amazing. 

We had positive feedback on our project with kindergarten. Can't wait to do some more collaboration this year. 

The source I used for the tubes. 
I also found several sources on Pinterest for the booklet but cannot find the links currently.

Learning about Project Based Learning

For the past couple of years, I have been on a journey. Our school is transitioning to a project based learning model. I love these projects and how deep they go in building student understanding about a certain topic. This is one sure-fire way to get the students hooked on learning and excited about it. I am not kidding when I say that I have had students beg...yes you heard right, BEG to stay in from recess to do more work on their PBL (project based learning). I call that a HUGE win for every teacher. So I am sharing some of my favorite books that I have been reading on the topic. I encourage you to check them out as well. 

Thinking Though Project-Based Learning.  

Setting the Standard for Project Based Learning

Hacking Project Based Learning

PBL in the Elementary Grades

Developing Natural Curiosity Through Project-Based Learning