Implementation: Proximal goal #9

So far, implementation has gone really well and my students have been very responsive and engaged with the material.

We started off with a lesson on "What are birds?", we started off with a KWL chart outlining what we already know and what we want to know about birds. The kids had lots of ideas! We ended up being able to list defining characteristics of birds, like that they have feathers, beaks and wings. We learned this vocabulary in French to be able to be used later. We went on a walk around the school with some homemade binoculars (toilet paper rolls stapled together!). When we came back inside, we talked about what we saw and then had a chance to draw some pictures of what we saw outside. Later in the day, we had a chance to engage in our exploration centers, which the kids are already familiar with from different Science topics we've covered. This gave them a chance to be able to explore and make connections with bird anatomy as well as language and vocabulary.

The following days, we delved into lessons the importance of feathers followed by the different structures and uses of bird beaks with exploration centres that they would rotate through all outlined in the lesson plan. As summative assessment, the kids made imaginative bird creations, made their own feathers and made clay beaks.

It was interesting to see the progression of how the kids were able to use the learned vocabulary, even if they weren't able to form complete sentences. The most important part of this initial part of the process is encouraging full engagement with no pressure for performance. It's great to see them immersed in the process of inquiry and making their own connections. It only takes a few motivated students that begin using the learned vocabulary to have the other kids on board as well. At the end of lessons, we have been practicing some songs, "un oiseau zozo", "Allouette" or "Y a quatre plumes" as well to help us remember some learned vocabulary. During transitions at other parts of the day, we've been reading some stories that refer back to the vocabulary as well.