This story just happened a week ago. I want to tell it so I will always remember why I want to mentor and teach adults about the needs of children and how they learn. Everywhere I turn I see those who are so concerned with “teaching to the test” that they forget about the teachable moments.
Here it goes. Last Thursday at early morning recess, Juan came to me and beckoned that I look at the treasure on his right index finger. With excitement in his voice, he said, “Look teacher, look”. Other children gathered, and I responded with awe in my voice as I described the most incredible caterpillar to the children. In my mind I could see how the whole process should happen to make this a teachable moment for the children. We talked about the process of how the caterpillar would eat, eat, and eat until he would form a chrysalis and how in the spring it would become a beautiful butterfly. I encouraged Juan to take it to his teacher so they could find a home for it in their classroom and watch the wonderful process unfold. The children appeared excited about the venture. Later that day at noon recess, I found Juan and asked if they were able to find homage for their caterpillar. Seaming somewhat discouraged, he replied that his teacher made him discard the caterpillar by the tree.
This would have been a wonderful event for the children to witness. Instead, the teacher chose to do what was convenient for her instead of fostering what could have been a great learning experience for all the children in her class.
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