Following any of our workshops - or learning opportunities - we have a share. The share can be one Kindergartener explaining their work to their peers, two children sharing their work in a partnership, or going on a "museum walk". Through a share, a child may be explaining how they solved a problem, rereading a book using their developing strategies, or telling of the inspiration behind their writing. I see the share as an opportunity for peer learning, for children to feel and be encouraged.
I believe we spend a lot of our day asking children to listen to us. How do we provide opportunities for language development and acquisition, when children are consistently told to listen? A share provides an opportunity for children to explain their work and thinking to their peers, to develop their language and public speaking skills in authentic and meaningful ways. We will always ensure the time for a share - sometimes as the teaching point at the beginning of a workshop and often as a way to transition out of a workshop.
Following one math workshop, ML shared her work using exploragons, a math tool for exploring geometric concepts and angles. Using the plastic sticks of varying lengths, ML built her dog, Luna. As I was checking in with children, ML explained her construction and the story behind her work.
I wonder how many of each exploragon it took to build Luna?
A question is often an invitation. ML quickly grabbed a piece of paper and markers. She drew her structure and labeled it with an L, for Luna. These strategies have been reinforced during academic choice as well as our writer's workshop. Using the markers, ML designed her own recording sheet. Counting the number of exploragons for each color, she recorded how many. During her share, the Kindergarteners said that they would like to make their own recording sheet next time. In response to her share, one child said, "I noticed the detail and all of your hard work!"
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