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Discovery...


I would have to say that this was a week of discovery...for both the students and teacher.  You see, learning is really a process of discovering.  Many times it is about discovering something you never knew existed.  Other times it's about discovering something that you were aware of but didn't know the "how" or "why" behind it.  Sometimes the learning is about something you already knew existed but now you have seen it in action.

In science we are studying plant and animal adaptations.  Students were given a cup of ice cold water and instructed to place their finger in it for no more than 3 minutes.  They recorded their observations.  Then we covered the finger (after it reached room temperature again) with lard (representing the blubber on some animals) and they dipped their "blubber finger" in the ice cold water.  They recorded their findings.  This is a good example of knowing about something (the blubber on animals acting as an insulator/adaptation) and finding out the "how" and "why" behind it.  This discovery excited the kids and always makes for a great lesson. 

The kids learned about the "fire triangle" today in their "Learn Not to Burn" class with the Elmhurst Fire Department.  I'm sure most of them never heard of the fire triangle.  They learned something new; something they didn't even know existed.  It will serve them well in the next lessons and in life.  

I spend a great deal of time with kids.  Often, when people speak of children they talk about how kids are so forgiving, so open and honest, and show real compassion when they see something is not going well for someone.  They talk about how kids practice unconditional love, look always to the bright side, and let their creativity off its leash more than adults do. 

I can honestly say that I discovered many of these attributes found in children this week from many of my current and former students, and even some that I have not taught in the past or up to this point in time.  Children who have shown me and my family compassion, creativity, and openness.  It's something that I always knew existed in children and adults alike--yet this week I experienced much of it first-hand.  

This week was definitely a week of learning...and with learning comes growth.  I know my students grew in their knowledge of science, the scientific method, and in identifying the elements that contribute to fire...I grew in the knowledge of how change can produce opportunities.

Mr. Casten
Oct. 14, 2011
 Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten

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