Today was a half-day at our school (because of teacher professional development in the afternoon), and so first grade took advantage of an awkward schedule to have an outdoor adventure! We have been outside with Rm. 202 friends before, but today were had ALL OF FIRST GRADE outside in the Robinson Naturescape learning and exploring together!
The teachers planned a STEM day focused on our current PLTW unit on Light and Sound, adding in the component of the AMAZING outdoor spaces we have in the back of our school. We took out a tub with a variety of tools, like binoculars, magnifying glasses, color tiles, flashlights, mirrors and spectroscopes. Kiddos had the job of exploring outside and discovering something new about light. Eventually we will have to represent that learning (using iPads, drawing or building tools), but for now we were just out and about and having fun with wondering!!
As you watch the slideshow with your kiddo (if you’re a parent!), ask them these things:
- What was your favorite part of being outside today?
- What was your favorite tool to use as a scientist? How did you use it?
- What did you find outside while you were exploring?
- What did you learn about light?
- What do you still wonder?
We came in and as a quick way to debrief, I had kiddos share what they were thinking about after their adventure. While you can tell that they were thinking of many things other than light (like dead animals–we found a DEAD RACCOON back there today!!), it was obvious that kiddos were thinking and having fun, and that they LOVE BEING OUTSIDE! I think at least half of my kiddos asked me when we’re going out again. 🙂 I’m excited to see how we can use this chart of great ideas in other parts of our learning soon, like for reading and writing ideas, topics for math and even further thingsto study for STEM or Genius Hour (which we’ll get to later on this year!).
What a great day we had! 🙂
20somethingkids and 1kookyteacher 