Inside: Nature walks are a great way for children to experience firsthand the changes each season brings. Here are some things you can do before, during, and after a fall nature walk to help children notice and appreciate the signs of the season. Before Your Fall Nature Walk Begin by bringing in a sign of […]
Wind Walk Adventures & Activities
Inside: Use these wind activities before, during, and after a wind walk to help preschool and kindergarten kids learn about windy weather. Outdoor Wind Activities The best wind activities are those that take children outdoors and let them experience it. Children can learn a lot about windy weather as they watch its effect on objects […]
Growing Our Thinking Around Matter
How We Began We’ve been dipping in and out of a study on matter for the last couple of months. Our first conversation began with the book, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. The children commented on the snowball Peter put in his pocket saying that it was going to melt. I asked them how […]
Exploring Precipitation (and Going Deeper with Snow!)
While I know most of you are so OVER snow at this point, I still wanted to share with you our explorations around this topic in case the process we went through would be helpful to you as you begin to plan your spring inquiries. And of course, there is always next winter! We began […]
Curious Classroom Book Study: Address Curricular Units with Mini-Inquiries
Chapter 8 Inside This Chapter Given the curricular demands in today’s education, most of us are not in a position to completely work from children’s questions. As nice as that might sound, we have standards we are required to meet. This chapter addresses ways we might do this while still using inquiry methods. One suggestion […]
Curious Classroom Book Study: Pursue Kids’ Questions with Mini Inquiries
Chapter 7 In This Chapter While chapter 3 encourages us to capture and honor kids’ questions, this chapter provides ideas and examples of how to help children use the research process to explore answers. It suggests that we might need to be responsive and a bit more in the moment in order to capitalize on […]
Curious Classroom Book Study: Hang Out With an Expert
Chapter 6 In This Chapter In curious classrooms, children learn how to be researchers! A big part of this process is knowing how to find and use appropriate resources. Field experts, an often forgotten resource, provide first-hand opportunities for children to find answers to their questions and further their knowledge in a specific area. Author […]
Curious Classroom Book Study: Check Our News Feed
Chapter 5 In This Chapter This chapter invites us to think outside the plan book and bring the outside world into our curriculum and teaching. Author, Harvey Daniels, suggests that we can spark interest and stimulate inquiry with “kid-hooking” news items. As I was reading, I couldn’t help but think of April the giraffe and […]
