This past Saturday was the students chance to show off their habitat photographs. Two weeks ago we started to discuss insects’ habitats and the students were given disposable cameras to take pictures of what and where they thought particular insects lived in their natural environment. Originally Laura, Alice and I were slightly skeptical of the images they would bring back to us. To reinforce our request, we sent a letter home addressed to the parents, along with the cameras, asking them to encourage their children to take pictures outside. To our surprise the students exceeded our expectations! We were delighted to hear and see that it didn’t take much guidance for them to understand the assignment. Although there were a few pictures here and there that were of family/friends or just randomness, it was to be expected. The pictures of inside houses and man-made objects actually worked out for the best because we were able to discuss in class why or why not the students thought it was an appropriate habitat for bugs and/or people.
Being able to visually see man-made objects along with the natural environment (some even in the same exact photo shot) clearly helped the students distinguish how we as people can affect the environment which insects may live in too. The students drew circles around what they thought were the insect habitats and drew bugs that would live there on top of the actual photograph (Ex. a butterfly drawn on top of the sky in a photograph they took or lady bugs in the green grass).
As a class we were able to expand our lesson and look a little deeper. The students showed that they could take responsibility and expand their learning experience outside the classroom as well as discuss ways in which we can help our fellow critters that live among us. This awareness was also a great transition which will lead us into our next Saturday’s lesson. We will be learning about what we can do to actually help and protect insects by creating safe habitats for them to live in ourselves(create butterfly stick piles). Because the students did so great and gained a lot out of this assignment, we feel as their teachers that they are learning a lot, if not more, than we anticipated.
I agree with Amanda- I was amazed at the photos that the students brought back and was excited that almost all of the pictures were taken outside and were even from some interesting vantage points. This allowed us to see the world through the eyes of a 4- or 5-year-old and gave us a small glimpse into their lives outside of the classroom, which is always important to do as a teacher (if possible). I was also excited when I talked to Alex and he brought in the idea of scale from a previous lesson and said that on his bug planet, humans would be the size of a speck on the photo and the spiders he was drawing would be huge in relation to us. All in all I was very impressed with the signs the students created and was happy to see that they grasped the concept!
ReplyDeleteI also feel as though my expectations are always tested in this class, even though I feel like I am making a point to push the expectations of this age group. Jack's story of camouflage ants and the class's pictures from this week really showed how much they really are capable of. I often feel in elementary school the capabilities of young students are often underestimated which limits their true potential.
ReplyDeleteFor this lesson I also struggled with the idea of teaching students what you think they should learn, which I want to avoid. Being aware of your environment and realizing the multi-directional relationships that exist between us and are surroundings is a big idea, and I did not want to push it on the students. I hope that by taking the photographs and by doing a "scavenger hunt" in their photos for instances of insect habitat or things that get in the way of insect habitats, provided ownership and self-discovery.
Since I cant seem to get the video up, I put a few things in quotes:
ReplyDeleteLaura-" And why did you circle this?"
Kian-" those are…that's the ant… that's the habitats!"
Laura-"Emily can you tell me what you were circling?"
Emily-"Im circling where bugs might be."
What a great lesson, for everyone involved! It is always amazing to see how competent and thoughtful children are, and how much they can do when given the opportunity. I am so glad that you had the chance to record these impressions and discussions; the photos should definitely be a part of the final display!
ReplyDelete