Sunday, April 15, 2012

Digging-in to Geography


This project was such a great way to learn about geography. Not only were we able to learn about our chosen country, but we were also able to have fun and create a very hands-on activity. This is definitely something I will incorporate into my classroom, as I feel that hands-on activities are crucial to learning and engagement. With just a few materials (in this case - salt, flour, water, and food coloring) we were able to create a model of Peru, displaying the geographical features. When students make something of their own it gives them ownership. When a student has ownership, they are more likely to open-their minds to learning and they have more fun and get involved. This was an experience, and experiences are what kids need to succeed. They will not remember the dull, boring lessons, but rather the fun, engaging experiences.

Hereis a link to a site that explains the benefits to having a hands-on classroom. There are also ideas and lesson plans!
http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3751901

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