Kids are Meant to Create

...if the environment is set for it!

Coolest thing happened the other day.  We have been reading all of Mo Willem's Pigeon books...you know..."Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus", "The Pigeon Wants a Puppy", "Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late", "The Pigeon Loves Things That Go".  Oh...so many great stories that are perfect for kindergartners!  Anyway, we were talking about all the character traits of the pigeon.  How he is a little selfish, and doesn't like to share.  He throws a lot of tantrums (our new vocabulary word)...almost one in every story.  He makes a lot of promises we aren't sure that he will keep.

Before we finished our discussion, I drew a picture of the pigeon on the board, showing the kids the simple shapes that Mo Willems uses to draw his characters and the talking bubbles that capture their thoughts and words.  After we finished our discussion, the kids collected their books and spread out to read-to-self while I worked with a small group. 

About five minutes after we had settled in, I noticed Sarai drawing on the board.  I guess she had been intrigued and wanted to try her hand at drawing her own pigeon.  She took her time.  Carefully drew her depiction of the bird and then settle back into reading her books.  Without a word, Morgan went to the board, and she drew her best pigeon, the talking bubble and copied the word "Bus".  She finished her drawing and then went back to her reading.

Sometimes kids just need the chance to get their thinking out or to solidify the learning.  This was their process, and I was so proud that my teacher self didn't interrupt something so beautiful.  Later, Sarai took that thinking and created her own book with the pigeon as her main character.

I know I am their teacher, but they are teaching me how they learn everyday.

until later~

b~