living and non-living

The children and teachers have been talking about living and non-living in 440.  Rather than focus on abstracts the teachers chose to bring the study to life, literally.

Emily introduced a live bunny to the great joy of the class and together they observed the characteristics and needs of a living rabbit.

Another day, the class spent time observing a stuffed rat and a living rat.  The children offered observations while comparing and contrasting the qualities of the living rat and the stuffed rat.

Emily took great care to write down the traits identified by the children; traits specific to living organisms and non-living organisms while noting the overlapping traits shared by both.

The Colorado Department of Education science standards for preschool specify that children need an understanding that living things have characteristics, basic needs and develop in predictable patterns.  While kindergarten standards specify that children need to understand that organisms can be described and sorted by physical characteristics.  

Interestingly, some approaches to education can focus on standards and overlook how naturally children learn all the time.  This is a gross disservice to the children and learning.  At CGMS I regularly see evidence of the deep respect educators have for how children learn and each child's capacity to do so.  I love watching the children and teachers joyfully researching together.  It inspires wonder, curiosity and respect for the world we inhabit and our attempts to make sense of it.