21st Century Reading Buddies = Inquiry Buddies

Reading, Writing and Arithmetic means so much more when there is context. With kindergarteners you really see how innate a love of learner is. When do we start to lose that love of learning? When does play become work? One of the themes for this year has been bringing Play-based learning into a junior classroom. My answer has been through rich game-based learning, real world problem solving and inquiry/project-based learning.

With the new full day kindergarten being play/inquiry based, I've been looking at them for insight and learning to foster that love in the junior curriculum. Along with the activities occurring in my class, I've had my students working along side the kindergarteners. In a twist of meta cognition and inquiry, my students and I are learning to understand and develop good learning practices through inquiry. My students have taken on leadership roles and help guide kindergarteners through inquiry projects. 

Below is some of the castles we build together with our inquiry buddies.