How We will Survive - and Thrive!

Step 1: Question

When I just wasn’t sure how to answer my kindergartners’ first questions, I learned to offer one powerful question in return:

"What do you notice about that?"

Whether talking about animal characteristics or an author’s craft, this question puts everything in perspective.

Step 2: Look closely

*Look closely at children – as they observe artifacts around them.

*Encourage them to draw their noticings.

*Their work as artists deepens their understandings as mathematicians and scientists.

Step 3: Reflect

Honestly, I never realized little kids could reflect on their learning until I truly paid attention to them. Start with open-ended questions – and you just might be surprised at their substantive thoughts!

*What did you used to believe about becoming a writer (or telling time or where rocks came from?)

*How have you changed as a writer or mathematician or scientist?

*Share some experiences or tools that helped you figure these new things out.