Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Clever Snail Doodler


This photo is a collection of clues of a "Who Done It" mystery. 

Is the kindergartner with the magnifying glass examining the apple snail shell? Or is the child looking at the crayon marks on the apple snail shell? Did this kindergartner put those crayon marks on the apple snail shell? Did this child choose green to emulate the Granny Apple or was that an intuitional serendipity?

And  most seriously of all, how does a teacher deal with snail shell vandalism? 

Answering the last question first: The teacher holds her breath about the snail shell vandalism. 
Nothing is said. Obviously, the kindergarten child needed to test out the surface of the shell  for its capacity to hold crayon marks. This was not vandalism; it was surface texture inquiry and discovery. 

Marking up the snail shell is not encouraged  because other students have equal right to clean material. Green Crayons are not removal marks. And that's a good reason to hold a rules and behavior lecture.

But there are moments only to behold and not to teach. The teacher was beholding the birthing of science inquiry by a child who only yesterday, entered school for the first time in a 5 year old life.  

With that awareness, there are no other questions to answer. The kindergartner "done" it and "done" it right.

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