Virtual Global Studies in Kindergarten

While laying the foundation for reading, Kindergarten teachers are also reimagining their integrated global studies and travels around the world. Beginning this year’s journey on the continent of South America, they have already participated in three virtual field trips. The first was with three llamas, Paco, Dolly, and Sheeka. During this virtual adventure, students observed the animals and learned about their role and significance in South American countries.

 

Following this exciting “outing,” Kindergarten students traveled on the Amazon River to the rainforest with the Museum of Waterworks who helped them explore the concepts of sink and float through virtual demonstrations, a virtual story time, and specially packed kits for each Kindergarten student. The kits provided students with the materials they needed for a hands-on exploration and classification of objects based on whether they would sink and float. After exploring these concepts and gaining a better understanding of the types of materials that would float, Kindergarteners were presented with an exciting design challenge where each student worked with a set of materials to create a boat that would stay afloat. They tested their designs in water-filled bins on the playground. Imagine their excitement!

 

The fun and learning never stops, as students then teamed up with Maxine, the two-toed sloth, from the Stone Zoo. Maxine was their introduction to the first of many endangered animal research projects. Similar to their sink and float challenge, Kindergarten students will be testing their iterative design skills by attempting to create a 3-dimensional sloth out of recycled materials. Many thanks to Mrs. Rabinovitz, Ms. Vaughn, and Mrs. Wyllie for their creative, and always dynamic, approach to the curriculum and to the circumstances that surround them.