Teamwork and last minute touches

The idea driving our art show and Christmas party is to teach the children about managing a large project. They learned to plan and to break the project into pieces that teams can do together.

 All along, the party has been a goal that the children worked towards cooperatively. As teachers, we try to keep our agenda off the table, and trust that the children are complex thinkers capable of driving their own development processes. They have proven us right, and will soon pull off a successful project. The children have learned that when they work together, they can move mountains!

The children were involved in every aspect of the planning. Not every child wanted to be a part of every aspect, but each child is represented somewhere in the project. 

Invitations were on the agenda today. After creating the art, writing a paragraph about adopting a meerkat, and photo copying the pages, it was time to fold and stuff. Like all the other parts of the project, they worked together.

The were each counted and quality checked by Jordy and Liam. 

Then into the mailbags they went. 

Meanwhile, across the room, Claire and Violet devised a system for collecting donations. They have made a can to hold money (labeled by Jacob), and Violet created dozens of receipts for the customers. Each one features a portrait of a meerkat, so you will know where your money is going. Claire stowed they away safely in an envelope Isabelle made, until they can be given out at the party. 

Today we worked on snacks, and the team went to the staff room to use the microwave. Haley, Lily, Selana, Ben and Austin cooperated to make some smooth and delicious fudge. 

The ability to work cooperatively in a team is a hallmark of an effective learner. Our class is learning that teamwork can make wonderful things happen.