Let's see, how did this come about? I brought in two Rhinoceros books from the library. (They're available right now in the classroom). I don't know what thoughts go through your mind when you first glance at the cover photo on a rhino book. Perhaps "boy, he's big" or "I wonder what lens they used", or "was it dangerous trying to get just the right angle?". In this class, at least two alert observers burst out with "he is DIRTY!". We had a marvellous time speculating on reasons why rhinoceros might want to be dirty (or, more properly, would benefit from being dirty), might go out of their way to get really properly gunked up. We imagined them after a heavy rainfall, discovering with horror that their skin had been washed - - ugh! - -fresh and clean. So. If any of your kindergarteners have been showing bizarre attitudes about bath, or have been rolling in dust outside, you know whom to blame.
After that excitement settled, we took up How Far Away Are The Stars, which is a delicious opportunity to introduce the speed of light. I must say these K kids do ask splendid questions.
Over in Silver Surfers, I thought I'd offer a demo in measuring temperature -- I got a nice Celsius thermometer last year off Craig's list, and have been waiting for a chance to share it, and it seemed like something that could be tinkered with during the whole week. But somehow, here too, we ran out of time. As followup to last week's methane molecule (you know, methane is the main ingredient in natural gas) I brought in a pocket propane torch ("it's not methane, which I don't own a tank of, but it's close"). Methane is actually odorless, and Texas Gas Service adds a stinky perfume to it so you'll notice a gas leak before your house blows up. It turns out that pocket propane torches also have an absolutely vile stink added. And would everybody in the class like to smell the stink? Oh YESsss! EEE-eeew!
Before the whole stinky-propane routine there was a good deal of buzz over this little guy that a student brought in - -
is this a leech? If he's a leech he should have itty bitty eyes at the front end, and I can't find any. He's not one of the plain-dark-brown type leech. But there are lots of leech species. Are there lots in Texas? Guides to the (cute and cuddly) segmented worms of Texas don't seem to be so easy to find. The leech topic, though, dominated conversation for some time even after we had (or thought we had) moved on to other topics. Leeches, insect blood, bilirubin - - hmm - - we have a theme here. So far nobody has volunteered to be the leech's dinner. (Parental permission would be required for this experiment).
Now about sidebar discussions. It's a really promising opportunity we have this year. Per the official schedule I arrive in the Silver Surfer classroom about 10-15 minutes before Science Circle time. Writer's workshop is proceeding, and students have the choice to continue writing or come chat quietly with me if they want. Chat, that is to say devour information at high speed. I look forward to some fascinating sessions here. Not much happened this week in pre-circle sidebar time, but I was lucky to have a student come to me after class to ask Who Was The First Human. (I predict this question will be asked at least twice per year by every class). We stepped away from Music Circle to talk about how gradual change accumulates to huge change, the sorites paradox, and reasons why some information from the past is unobtainable. But oh! the delight of watching those 7 year old eyes staring intently, the mind testing new ideas, appraising them, working to understand them, starting to register the endless implications - - what a beautiful sight!
1 comment:
Good words.
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