Out of the mouths of babes
Today while introducing penguin research to Kindergartners, we finally got to the step of identifying sources of information. I asked 5 different classes today variations of these questions:
Where do you go to find answers at home?
What do you use at the public library to help you find answers?
In every class the first answer volunteered was, “On the computer and on the internet.”
When I asked the question differently “When you come to the school library, where do you look first for answers?” all but one class said “In books” The other class said, “I ask the librarian.”
Not long ago teachers still fought me over my asking for time to teach their students how to use the computer in K-2. Now, I focus on teaching them how to use their time on the computer WISELY.
My school is blessed with an extraordinary computer teacher, non-certified, pitifully paid, but creative, intelligent and great with the kids. She is so useful to the teachers that anything she suggests is a win. Needless to say, she is my staunch ally and we collaborate very well on internet use, ethical and legal issues (which we start with the kindergarteners)and, well, sure, things like sudoku for prizes. If you are lucky enough to have someone like Karen, the computer teacher can help with this stuff!
Comment by Wendy Stoll — January 16, 2006 @ 3:57 pm