The ability to engage in thoughtful dialogue is a skill that must be practiced with intention and developed as we mature, grow and gain a sense self and others. Practicing the “art of conversation”, promotes good listening, meaningful query, and reflection. While these skills may seem like a “tall order” for kindergarten, these are indeed the skills we work on everyday.
During “Share” at morning meeting, both the speaker and audience assume responsibilities for their part of the conversation. The speaker (the child who is sharing), has an opportunity to “share” a story or an object that is relevant or important to them with his or her classmates. He or she needs to speak in a loud enough voice for all to hear, and present the information in a way that is understandable and interesting to the audience. The audience needs to be respectful, looking at our speaker and listening actively. It is anticipated that our audience will be thinking of a question or comment to ask of our speaker. It is often tempting to “interrupt” our speaker, but working through the format in this way, helps up develop those good habits that become lifelong skills.
Sharing information and stories about our self, gives our friends an opportunity to get to know us “outside” the classroom thus promoting and deepening our friendships. One classmate used just this opportunity to share this grandmother with us! She lives in Australia and was here in NJ, visiting the family! This very special “share” led to a geography lesson about Australia, (and the introduction of an Atlas to our class), the types of animals that live in Australia, the climate and a super song session featuring, “Kookaburra sits in the Old Gum Tree!”
Working with information that is relevant to us, helps us to make sense of the world around us. Collecting, recording and organizing data helps us to analyze information, solve problems and draw conclusions. Everyday when the children come into class, they record their attendance on our class attendance graph. When children forget to check themselves on the graph, another child can often be heard telling them that they forget!
Seeing the information recorded in this way, it becomes easy for fellow students to detect who is absent, and who forgot to sign our chart! We also organized our birthdays and ages on respective graphs to help us anticipate and prepare to meet this milestone together. Since doing so, the children enjoy putting themselves in “age order”…sometimes, oldest to youngest, sometimes, youngest to oldest! As they “see” the information organized, they are able to use it in a way that is meaningful to them!
Speaking of birthdays, we celebrated our first friend who turned six this year! As a class, we worked together to prepare a special birthday cake. Our birthday boy’s mom and sister joined us for a fun morning of stories and song. We enjoyed this opportunity to use our freshly painted rhythm sticks to help us “tap out the beat!” When we celebrate our birthday, we like to reflect on how we can help bring kindness to the world. Because each of us is unique, only we can affect the world in our own special way. Our birthday friend often shares his generosity with our class! He is always ready to help a friend who can not locate a pencil or glue stick….”here! you can use mine!” Realizing and internalizing these simple acts of kindness, makes us become aware that we can truly affect the world in a positive a way!
The story of Creation came alive as the children worked on a Creation Mural together! Each child selected one color we see in the world and set about making those things for our Creation Mural. For example, the child who selected yellow, made the sun, the child who selected blue, made the sky and the water! As the mural took shape, the children and I discussed what was missing, and the children decided amongst themselves who would make those pieces. Other children took on the role of “gluers” and glued each piece to the mural as they were completed! As we worked, one child remarked, “This is all of ours very best work!” Indeed it was! I was so proud of how they all worked enthusiastically and cooperatively together! When it was complete, their pride shone, as we discussed all they had learned, and admired their hard work!
