Imagine you're teaching your child about plants.
Now imagine the learning going one of two ways.
- Worksheet style.
Paper, pencil, scissors, glue.
The lesson spans 20 minutes, and your child is done thinking about plants. They move onto the next thing rarely thinking or wondering about plants again.
- Hands-on, Artful Approach.
soil
trowel
real flowers
magnifying glass
seeds
watercolor paint
paintbrush
The investigation and projects span days, even weeks. Your child is noticing, observing, predicting, labeling, creating, investigating, discussing and sharing their learning.
They are delighted, excited, motivated, engaged.
In which scenario would you rather be a participant? Where would YOU rather teach?
Now, I'm not saying "Toss out the workbooks!"
I believe in a balanced, integrated approach that uses children's natural hundred languages of learning. The "sweet spot" that blends the wonder of childhood with more intentional teaching.
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