Every lesson in the Walk Beside Me Learning curriculum is first tested in our K-8 LIVE classrooms at Experius Academy.
Every week we hold Fun Friday, an activity that invites children to step outside of the box and look at things from a different view. These experiences provide opportunities for children to dig through the previous knowledge learned and create something new.
We had been studying astronomy and the Lunar landings. I began our session by showing them a clip from the movie, Apollo 13, the moon mission that almost took the lives of the entire crew. At this point in the mission, Mission Control and the men aboard the ship realize that they will die if they can’t filter the oxygen in the capsule.
This scene in the movie shows the engineers around a table, trying to create a filter using objects available aboard the ship. They were successful and they saved the lives of the crew.
After we finished watching the clip, we discussed their tenacity in finding a solution to a problem. I then gave my students their mission. I told them that in their own backyards they had starving birds. It was their mission to construct a bird feeder that would feed the birds safely, could withstand harsh weather, and that could hold nutritious food for the type of birds they had observed in their area. These students join us from all over the world so their challenges were unique. They were given 30 minutes to assess their situation and bring back to our session, any items they could use to build a safe and stable bird feeder. Note that our group consisted of children in grades 1 though 8.
When they were given the signal to start, they jumped into action! When class resumed, each student showed the supplies they had gathered. They immediately went to work.
Watching them experience trial, error, and success was inspiring! They shared ideas and encouraged each other. Their bird feeders were amazing! Each student was given the opportunity to share his/her own feeder and why it was constructed the way it was. Classmates were given the opportunity to share ideas that might improve their designs. The session was edifying for everyone and they left feeling as though they had made synergistic contributions.
One of the most important components of great learning is application. After the foundational principles are shared by the parent/teacher, experiences must be provided to allow the child to apply the new information and see the relevance.
As you plan learning experiences with your child, always keep application and relevance in mind. These two components make all the difference.
