For this post I reviewed several videos on TEDLive, http://www.ted.com/talks . There was one that really sparked an interest for me which led to me to consider a project that was done in one of our local Head Start Classrooms this year.
The talk that inspired me was, Ramsey Mussallam: 3 Rules To Spark Learning. In this talk Ramsey Mussallam, a high-school chemistry teacher discusses how a life threatening condition awakened a spark in him that made him examine the way in which he was teaching. While he is a high school teacher I think his three rules most definitely can be applied to any age group. Mr. Ramsey stated that "student questions are the seeds of real learning" which led to his 3 Rules: 1. Curiosity Comes First - encourage questions; 2. Embrace the Mess - don't be afraid of trial and error; and 3. Practice Reflection ( http://www.ted.com/talks/ramsey_musallam_3_rules_to_spark_learning.html ).
His talk led me to consider the Project that one of our local Head Start Classrooms did this year with their children who were asking questions about the Rainforest. Ms. Angie's class at PACE Community Action Agency, Washington Head Start, questioned her regarding the Rainforest which prompted her to begin their project. The children's questions led to more questions (imagine that with 4 year olds) :) , which led to more and more being added to their classroom. They discussed and learned so much that it spilled out of their classroom and down one of our halls. At the end of the year the children invited parents and community members to come and visit their Rainforest to see what they had learned (www.pacecaa.org). Below is a picture of their classroom.
Ms. Angie's class practiced all three of Mr. Mussallam's Rules - they questioned, they learned through trial and error (and there were lots of "messes"), and they reflected on their learning.
The talk that inspired me was, Ramsey Mussallam: 3 Rules To Spark Learning. In this talk Ramsey Mussallam, a high-school chemistry teacher discusses how a life threatening condition awakened a spark in him that made him examine the way in which he was teaching. While he is a high school teacher I think his three rules most definitely can be applied to any age group. Mr. Ramsey stated that "student questions are the seeds of real learning" which led to his 3 Rules: 1. Curiosity Comes First - encourage questions; 2. Embrace the Mess - don't be afraid of trial and error; and 3. Practice Reflection ( http://www.ted.com/talks/ramsey_musallam_3_rules_to_spark_learning.html ).
His talk led me to consider the Project that one of our local Head Start Classrooms did this year with their children who were asking questions about the Rainforest. Ms. Angie's class at PACE Community Action Agency, Washington Head Start, questioned her regarding the Rainforest which prompted her to begin their project. The children's questions led to more questions (imagine that with 4 year olds) :) , which led to more and more being added to their classroom. They discussed and learned so much that it spilled out of their classroom and down one of our halls. At the end of the year the children invited parents and community members to come and visit their Rainforest to see what they had learned (www.pacecaa.org). Below is a picture of their classroom.
Ms. Angie's class practiced all three of Mr. Mussallam's Rules - they questioned, they learned through trial and error (and there were lots of "messes"), and they reflected on their learning.
Toni, it seems like there are so many good things taking place at this Head Start program. Those children are receiving a very rich experience that will stay with them forever. Those three steps really will reinforce the things that they show a true interest in because they are initially asking those questions.
ReplyDeleteI really like this idea of Mr. Mussallam's.