Spiders

Today after recess two students brought in a piece of bark they tore off a tree. Another student proceeded to remind them that bark is like skin for a tree and that it protects the tree. She also continued to remind them that they learned that while reading Wild Horse Winter,

The inside of the bark was covered in silk. Immediately the kids made the connection that spiders make silk. Suddenly the silk started to move and two little yellow spiders crawled out. Both dropped to the ground dragging a line of silk behind them. After a minute of mild chaos, both spiders were released outside.

At this point Mrs. Kempton began asking the kids what they know about spiders.

"What is a baby spider called"

"A spiderling! Like a duckling!"

"How do you know these are baby spiders?"

"Because spiderlings are yellow."

She then informed them that spiders wrap their eggs in silk to protect them, and that is why the spiderlings were nestled in a cocoon of silk. They went on to talk about the drag line trailing behind the spiders as they dropped to the floor.

In moments such as these teachers have two options. They can either disregard whatever it is students bring into class. Or they can listen to the student's natural inquiries and build the class around them. Mrs. Kempton could have asked the kids to put the bark away in their backpacks. When the spiders crawled out she could have squashed them and reprimanded the students for bringing bugs into class. Instead a beautiful lesson unfurled before everyone's eyes. Who could have planned a better lesson out on spiders?

Learning is messy. It cannot be organized into little boxes and perfect lesson plans. A good teacher supports students in their own natural inquiries and doesn't shut them down for the sake of a schedule. The kids in Mrs. Kempton's class knew that if they brought something they thought was exciting into class, that Mrs. Kempton would support them and help them learn more about their finding. Builing that trust and relationship with students is important, especially in their younger years when they are learning to take risks and discover new things. Students need to remain interested and curious about the world around them. Supporting them and helping them solve these mysteries helps keep that wonder alive.