Deep and Rich Learning

One of the things I always notice when observing excellent teaching (something I fortunately have lots of opportunities to do) is the skillful interweaving of multiple strands of learning.  This creates a rich and varied learning experience that engages students and allows for success and challenge at all levels.  Recent examples of this kind of learning experience in the context of a major project include the 4th grade Invention Convention and the 5th grade Colonial Day projects.

In 4th grade, a student working on a project for the Invention Convention first learned about simple machines and participated in locating the simple machines in the school and making a video describing their use.  The student then learned about innovation and participated in it by creating an invention which incorporated a simple machine and met an identified need.  Students also documented their inventions, and developed business cards, brochures, and other marketing materials.  This is a project with obvious real-world connections that incorporates science and technology concepts, literacy work, and business and economics, and is certainly one the students won't soon forget!

In 5th grade, the Colonial Day projects incorporate historical learning, reading, writing, and research skills, artwork, and critical thinking.  I was particularly impressed by the "flip books" describing particular historical characters because the thinking and analysis went way beyond the factual.  Each one was different and showed good critical thinking on the part of the student.  Art and music were also incorporated into the experience, and on the day itself students were immersed in Colonial times, engaging in hand sewing, tinsmithing, butter-making, and a variety of Colonial games.  Again, a rich learning experience, and one that students won't forget!

During the course of working on these projects, students also learn planning and time management skills, as well as the patience and persistence to pursue a long-term goal, all of which are important life skills.  Now, of course, although I intended to write a simple post describing my excitement about these projects, I just have to ask -- how can any standardized test measure these things or measure the skill of a teacher who makes a difference for a child by helping him/her to develop these life skills or discover a passion or a new motivation?  Children learn many different things from these projects -- for one, it may be finding a new confidence in her artistic skills; for another, it could be discovering his passion for history; for yet another child, it could be learning how to plan and complete a large project and feeling the pride of accomplishing that. 

The best and most accomplished teachers consistently weave multiple strands of learning into their teaching -- learning about content, learning skills, learning attitudes, learning confidence, persistence and competence.  This is learning that no child should miss.  I am delighted to see this happening throughout our school, and hope we can continue to provide and value these rich learning experiences for our students.