Best Day Ever
4/5/2019
It brings me so much joy as a teacher to hear my students whisper or exclaim, "This is the best day ever!" It's a phrase I have heard repeatedly this year from our sweet little ones. It is even more rewarding knowing that authentic and engaging learning and experiences are at the core of their "best days ever," not just the fun extras (such as holiday celebrations or treats). The latest "best day ever" was our how to publishing party and book signing. We celebrated our writers' hard work during our how to unit with stacks of their very own books and a special treat of popcorn and cookies. The most exciting part, however, was the book signing. Our little writers sat proudly behind their stacks of books, waiting to answer questions and give away signed copies of their very own book. As they signed and gave their last copies, students exclaimed, "I'm all sold out!" Throughout the signing, they eagerly talked about and gave away their books (although they were a bit disappointed we were "selling" their books for free). It's also exciting to know that their learning leaves them curious and wanting more. "What are we going to do next, Mrs. McCormick?" "Are we going to build some more robots?" "Can we dissect something else?" "What kind of books are we going to write next?" Our days are constantly sprinkled with questions like these, questions that let me know our studies are spurring their curiosity and desire to learn more, explore more, and try more. Angela Watson, instructional coach and curriculum designer, says, "... student enthusiasm is not an effective measure of which activities are worthwhile." This is so true. I fondly remember some of the fun experiences, activities, and games from elementary school, but I have no idea what I learned through them. However, shouldn't creating worthwhile and effective learning experiences that do ignite student enthusiasm be one of the main goals of educators? Learning experiences that expand students' world views, understanding, and thinking AND leave them excited, curious and yearning for the next project, book, or study? At PNA, we carefully curate experiences and projects that engage our students in learning and in doing, experiences that are authentic (like publishing books and hosting a book signing), and therefore meaningful, worthwhile, and rewarding for our students-- experiences that prompt them to declare it "the best day ever" while excitedly looking to the next thing, ready to explore further and learn more. Thank you for choosing to partner with us in your child's education, being an important part of their learning experiences, and making them feel like real authors at their book signing. Here's to more "best days ever" and nurturing curious kids together.
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Saania AliMs. Ali graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. She specializes in Early Childhood Education, ESL, and Special Education. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and painting! Archives
April 2021
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