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In Science And Children, 'What's so phenomenal about Animals?', I was reminded of one of the inadequacies of my own education that we seem to keep repeating. Animals ARE phenomenal - every one with almost unbelieveable adaptations and characteristics...and I applaud the general idea of this lesson. But, when we use these exotic and unfamiliar animals, the 'phenomenon' is not really something we can see, touch, and experience, but instead, a distant unusual example that may as well be imaginary...is it really something kids can connect to? Can they make the leap from that to the roly polys in the school yard? Or the spiders on the windowsill?
I guess I wish we could just use the plants and animals that in familiar and in our own environments. They are just as amazing and varied and WAY more accessible. And it gives kids the ability to continue to investigate during recess, or on their own. That way kids get the benefits of growing more familiar with their own space and the 'neighbors' they walk by every day. And they may even be able to experience wonder and amazement at the diversity right in their worlds.
I am not down on this type of lesson, but I do wonder if by using it, we accidentally create separation between kids and their own environment...with an unspoken message that, realy interesting things exist and live far away, but the things close by are not.
Something to ponder! Thanks for all you do!
John
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