Flexibility - the room, the activities, the teacher should adjust and change with the interests, abilities, strengths of the kids
As I posted previously, this group of kids loved building. I will certainly look for ways to incorporate construction and blocks in lots of things we do. One boy asked if I had "play guys" (people). Guess what we'll need to have this week in the blocks center?
Adaptability - the activities should adapt to use by individual kids
We almost always have easel painting. I saw 5 kids work at the easel and 5 different ways to approach painting with red and blue paint. One boy enjoyed creating layers - red, then blue, then red - and watching the color adjust from distinct colors to a blended purply swirl. He covered the entire paper with his swirls of color. A girl carefully made alternating stripes of color. She didn't mix the colors but kept the vertical columns distinct. Kids can use the paint at the easel to do what they choose.
Choice - the kids have the power to do something or not do something
This week I saw our writing center, usually a popular place for kids, sit fallow for most of the time. Then one boy ventured over to examine the paper and decided to do something. He drew "a maze." I've sometimes planned something that I thought would be lots of fun - and the kids ignore it. But that's okay. They are making the choice.
How does this translate into a school classroom? Kids often need to do things that they wouldn't choose or that's not their favorite thing to do. But I still see the need to incorporate learning experiences that allow some choice, flexibility, and adaptability. Kids learn more and enjoy it more when they have some say in what they do.
One week with these new kindergartners and I'm already thinking a lot. It's going to be a fun and busy year.
