As a teacher, a mom and a past home educator, I always love to find fun, cool new ideas for teaching. I particularly like activities that incorporate different learning styles and lessons that are captivating to kids. It disturbs me a bit (okay, maybe more than a bit) that kids start out curious, investigative and eager to learn, but often end up stifled, contained and not so enthusiastic. So, I also like it when I come across stuff that allows for discovery.
"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery." ~Mark Van Doren
I came across one such activity through a lens by homeschooler, Rhonda Albom (Pukeko). The lens is called Gross Science - Let's Make Poo and it's all about simulating the digestive process using some food, a few simple kitchen tools and a stocking. It's very educational . . . and I have to admit I also cracked up laughing as I read through it all!
Rhonda taught this lesson to her two daughters and documented it all on her lens. Check out the kid's smiles in the video on the lens! I think they may have giggled a bit too. They were so excited! It was totally captivating to them - - so much so, that they invited their friends over to do the experiment with them! I love how the girls have the "poo" all over their hands by the end! They're right in there squeezing it out of the hole in the stocking!
Not only was it fun, but the poo-making activity addressed visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners by incorporating art, video creation and hands-on investigation. It also allowed for interpersonal learning through the group activity and print or logical learning through work they did researching terminology. The kids were able to express themselves in ways that let their strengths shine, while also being exposed to other styles.
The fun, combined with the different learning styles, grabbed the kid's attention and let them learn and remember it better. I love how Rhonda described it: "And at some point in the fun they actually learned all about the digestive process."
So check out the fun! Learn how to make poo?!? And maybe give it a shot yourself - - the lens describes the activity step by step so anyone can repeat it :)
Visit: Gross Science - Let's Make Poo
Leanne, just loved this lens. It is so well put together, and any way of teaching kids that involves multiple ways of learning has my vote. Thanks for pointing this one out to me. If I ever have grandkids, I will make poo with them. :)
ReplyDeleteLet's make poo? Oh this is so much the Rhonda we all know and love, isn't it?! She definitely knows how to keep education fun and engage her kids' interest. You've also captured in your own review so many other important aspects of effective learning, which is a fascinating topic and one that I know interests us both. But now I'm off to learn just how to make poo!
ReplyDeleteThank you Leanne. I am really glad you enjoyed both our science project and my lens. I enjoyed reading this blog as it expands on why Let's Make Poo is such a great project. I do have one daughter who is predominantly a kinesthetic learner (you can identify her as the one with the most "poo" on her hands at the end of the video), and the other is more visual /auditory so it is always a challenge to find projects that appeal to both. Life is rarely dull at our house. Thanks again for this lovely review.
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