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Seizing a teachable moment in a kindergarten class: Pedagogy of listening

Pritika Chandiramani

Pritika Chandiramani, a kindergarten teacher and the Early Years’ Coordinator at EtonHouse International School, Singapore

In this article the author describes how early years students have developed a rich conceptual understanding by not only initiating their own learning and taking ownership, but also working and solving problems together.

It all started with a display board that needed to be updated and a simple request from the teacher, asking her students to help take the old display off the board…

What followed was an in-depth inquiry where students initiated their own learning, took ownership, worked together and problem solved to have their new display up in no time!

The students realized that our blank cork board in the kindergarten class, did not look ‘beautiful’ and needed a new display back on.

“What shall we do?”, I asked them.

Image 1A child enthusiastically responded, “We can write our names and decorate it”!

“We need to cover it with paper because it is ugly”, shouted another student.

My teacher gut played tumbles when I heard this and I wondered how I could best use this teachable moment! I seemed to have had found a great opportunity to integrate the mathematics strand of measurement to weave in with student initiation, interest and enthusiasm! I asked, “I wonder how much paper we will need to cover up the board?”

Instantly, I found groups of students making predictions and estimating the amount of paper we would require. “Fifteen”; “fifty”; “five hundred million”!

Much as my teacher instinct wanted to jump in, I did not. I listened to their intense discussions on how to measure and what to use.

Children started to use various strategies and techniques to measure the board. Some used their arms, others walked alongside the board measuring in line with the number of their footsteps. A lot of speaking, listening and debating happened as children co-constructed their learning with each other.

Soon, the children began to test out their theories using newspaper. A lot of planning, organizing, accepting and sharing responsibilities, taking turns, respecting others, cooperating and making group decisions was involved as each student adopted a role within the group.

Image 3Our board was beginning to take shape!

After most of the board was covered with paper, a few children identified gaps in between them, showing the ugly cork board. Something had to be done! Once again, children started to make suggestions; plan and problem solve in order to cover up the showing bits of the board. More paper was cut to measure by the students. The group stayed committed till the board was completely covered.

There on, students started to decorate the board using art supplies. Finally, we went on to writing and decorating our names to mount on our board as the group had originally planned.

Image 5I am so glad that I “listened” to the children. Students had developed a rich conceptual understanding through this project. They understood that measurement involves comparing objects; they used tools and nonstandard units of measurement to solve problems in real-life situations involving length.

They saw the value in collaboration. The process involved rich learning at each step for all of us.

By the end of our collaborative project, the board did not look like the way I had originally planned it, with the displays that I had intended for it. However, the students’ deep conceptual understanding as a result of this experience, their sense of ownership and accomplishment towards what they had achieved as a team was beyond anything that I could have planned for.

Image 4This experience forced me to re-examine and re-align my own concept of the image of the child. My little learners had competently applied their knowledge of measurement to solve problems. They had used their thinking skills to acquire and apply knowledge, comprehend and analyze information.

The group did this all while using their social skills; cooperating, accepting responsibility, respecting peers and making group decisions. It was truly rewarding to witness their strong communication skills to speak and listen to each other; use their self-management skills to organize and decorate the board; and their research skills to observe, plan, collect and record data.

I am so glad that I listened.

The article was originally published in The Red Dot, Issue 4, June 2015 – a Singapore/Malaysia PYP Network Newsletter.

Pritika started her teaching career in the year 1997 and her very first introduction of the IB was in the year of 2003. Ever since then, her interest and passion of the same has kept her continually energized to gain more knowledge and understanding of the IB curriculum framework, and has also pushed her to the edge in wanting to support and mentor like-minded professionals. Pritika’s constant goal remains to create opportunities and an environment for her students to foster good attitudes whilst integrating knowledge and skills during their time with her.

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7 Responses to Seizing a teachable moment in a kindergarten class: Pedagogy of listening

  1. Jai 10 November 2015 at 2:11 pm #

    Thanks for sharing.

  2. Brian Lalor 12 November 2015 at 8:04 am #

    Pritika,
    This wonderful example has shown me the simplicity of personal inquiries. Thank you!
    Brian

  3. Caroline 13 November 2015 at 6:55 am #

    Pritika,

    This was a brilliant example of a child led activity. I am glad you are my mentor!

    Caroline

  4. dIANA 14 November 2015 at 4:13 am #

    iT´S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF BECOMING FIRST GOOD LISTENERS AND COMMUNICATORS TO FOSTER OUR STUDENTS

  5. Neeti 18 November 2015 at 5:37 am #

    Pritika,

    this is such a fabulous example of student lead inquiry. I liked the way you listened.

  6. Vandana 15 December 2015 at 1:32 pm #

    Lovely to see the children taking ownership of the job and executing it with much precision. I am sure you are leading your team well towards an inquiry mindset, just like Atima Joshi!

  7. Nahla 25 April 2016 at 1:21 pm #

    We used to say sharing is caring, but through the article above sharing is more than caring. It is a lot of things together; sharing is gaining a lot of experience & exchanging wonderful ideas. Thank you.

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