Classroom idea - Sparkers

Childhood Education, Winter 2001/2002 by Merenda, Rose C, White-Williams, Sharon

Magical Moments

Are there "Magical Moments" in teaching and learning? Indeed, many such moments occur when thoughtful teachers think about and plan for them, and involve children, both creatively and constructively. Such magical moments ensure joyful teaching. But more important, imaginations soar, curiosity is satiated, intellect is provoked, and learning thrives. Truly joyful, satisfying learning results for children.

The following Idea-Sparker was submitted by Rashmi Kumar from Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

Monument Mapping

This activity can be used to inculcate in children an understanding of famous buildings and monuments around the world. As a result of participating in the activity, children will be able to think in a "global sense" about cultural values, history, and architectural styles.

Monument Mapping can be a large-group activity or conducted with groups of 4 to 5 children. The culminating project is a gallery of maps hung on the class walls, ready for evaluation and peer appreciation.

Give each group a poster-size political map of the world. Provide children with a number of activities from which to choose at least two. Encourage children to come up with their own ideas and add them to the teacher's list. Here are some ideas:

* Which architectural style do tall columns bring to mind?

* What is the architectural style of the Lincoln Memorial?

* What are the common features between the Taj Mahal and the Lincoln Memorial? What are the differences between them?

* What are the main materials used in building the Eiffel Tower, the Lincoln Memorial, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal? In which years were these monuments completed?

* What were the distinguishing features of pyramids?

* Name some places in the world where pyramids can be found.

After the children select their topics, give them at least two weeks to finish the task. Allot some time on a regular basis to make sure that group members can get together and work on the collaborative project. Suggest a number of resources-the school library, the World Wide Web, and posters and brochures from travel agencies. Foreign consulates can be great sources of information.

Have children depict their information pictographically on the map-using symbols, stickers, phrases, etc. After all the groups have finished their projects, hang them in the classroom to create a "wall museum." Let the children take a "tour" and take note of the following: what they like in other groups' work, something new they have discovered, something that cleared up some misconception, and something they recall from a movie they saw or a book they have read.

The following Idea-Sparker was submitted by April Gaugler from Pennsburg, Pennsylvania.

A Magical New Ending to Open-Ended Novels

It's daily read-aloud time in your classroom. The students are sitting on the rug, all eyes glued to you in anticipation of a climatic ending to the novel you've been reading. You enhance the moment by changing the pace, raising and lowering your voice, teasing the silent audience. After the last sentence is eloquently read, however, you don't see smiles or hear applause. Instead, you hear, "That's it?" "How can it end there?" Obviously, the author did not have the same concept of closure as your class did.

Turn these disgruntled listeners / readers into creative authors themselves by having them write their own ending to the novel. They can publish their version in a secret panel of a magic book. Follow these simple instructions to keep your students' creative juices flowing.

* After reading a novel that leaves your class wondering "What happens next?," discuss what aspects of the ending your children are wondering about. Be careful not to offer possible endings or suggestions.

* Pair students with partners to discuss and write their own endings to the novel. This activity works especially well with a multiage classroom, or when two grade levels work together. After editing, the pair is ready to create their own magic book. * Fold a piece of 12" x 18" construction paper in half, short end to short end. Crease firmly.

* Fold a second time, creasing firmly.

* Unfold the second fold and make a cut in the middle of the paper. Cut to the crease from the second fold.

* Make a second cut halfway between the first cut and the end of the paper. Cut to the crease from the second fold.

* Make a third cut halfway between the first cut and the other side of the paper. Cut to the crease from the second fold.

* Unfold the paper and lay flat.

* Cut two strips of construction paper in a contrasting color or lined paper (to aid students in neater writing) so that the dimensions are 4-1/2" x 12".

* Weave the two strips next to each other on opposite sides of the middle fold of the large construction paper. Alternate the weaves.

* Refold the large paper in half on the crease, and refold the other two creases to form an accordion-style book.

* Have students design a cover, displaying the title, the original author's name, and the students' names.