"Look! It sticks!"

Today's learning can be summed up with three words: invigorating, authentic, and exciting! 

(And those words just scratch the surface for what was an incredible day of discoveries and learning!) 

Take a look at what two of our students were curiously investigating during our morning! With just a few magnets, they were able to creatively discover and experiment some scientific principles behind how magnets work!

Not only did the excitement from these two students inspire others in our class to join in, but it ended up being approximately half the class by recess learning through this problem solving approach. Fascinating! 

"Look, the two magnets won't go together! They are pushing one another." - J.S. (SK)

"I wonder why?" - Ms. Schmidt

"I don't know but maybe it's because there's a ball between them but it's invisible." - J.K. (SK)

"E.S., what are you discovering?" - Ms. Schmidt

"Metal only sticks to other metal like the SmartBoard - look! I found out that it doesn't stick to the tables though because the tables are wood." - E.S. (JK)

"The letter sticks to the green thing Ms. Schmidt!" - T.B. (JK)

"Why do you think that happens?" - Ms. Schmidt

"It sticks because the blue letter is a magnet and the green thing is a magnet." - V.D. (JK)

One of the originators of this provocation decided to make a list on a clipboard about his findings. In particular, what the magnets stick to and what they don't stick to. In doing so, he again inspired others who were part of the investigation to record their own ideas in words! Talk about peer learning!

This learning moment captured throughout our morning truly exemplifies the beauty of learning and problem-solving through play. Our students were not only able to feel inspired by their peers, but they were able to learn together through trial and error and celebrate their learning as it happened! Moreover, it's incredible how literacy was naturally embedded in their thinking and we can't wait to see where it takes them! Stay tuned for more on this developing inquiry!