Enrique Explorations

Best PYP Learning and Play Story Ever!

As PYP Coordinator, it is always great to hear how students take action with their learning. This story, however, made my heart so happy!

In our weekly PLC (professional learning community) meetings, grade level teachers regularly discuss common assessments, plan learning engagements, and revise units of inquiry. The goal is always for students to take concepts learned and transfer their knowledge into everyday life situations. Taking action on their learning gives students ownership, and provides an opportunity to practice new skills and incorporate what was learned in new and meaningful ways. Of course teachers want to see students use what was learned and apply it when applicable, right? The problem is that sometimes it is hard to witness the exact moment when learning is applied...unless it happens at school.

Well, it did happen at school, and third grade teachers were able to witness the learning through play. Third graders were studying about organized systems and how they influence economic choices. They learned about saving money and spending it. Students budgeted money, and talked about the systems that help consumers. They really became interested in money too! They brought in money from other countries, and even looked at their money during lunch! Third grade took a field trip to a grocery store. Students practiced working with a budget, and shopped for items. Math skills were used, and comparison shopping helped students make more informed choices. They realized it is not so easy staying within budget. This life skill would surely come in handy. Students loved the field trip, and teachers knew that students were learning a lot of valuable information they would use later in life.

It turned out that later in the week was more like it! One day at recess, students decided to use acorns as money. They got together and started to sell items for acorns. Soon the businesses were booming, and more students were coming up with items to sell for acorns. Eventually, the acorn totals started accumulating. This was not a problem, though. It wasn't long before students started a bank, where the acorns could be stored! The acorns soon began to take on different values. Acorns with the top still on were worth more than the ones without. The entire grade level participated in creating this system during their recess for several days. It became very apparent that students had learned a lot more in this unit than teachers realized!

I loved hearing about how students incorporated everything they learned into this elaborate system during their recess. They could have been running and jumping and swinging and playing. Instead, they were so engrossed in their learning that they all decided to extend it into recess.

I knew I wanted to write this story down so that I would never forget how creative and exciting it can be learn in school. We often hear otherwise, but sometimes school gets it right. The entire third grade worked together during their recess because what they learned was that important and interesting to them! Don't you think this is a great example of what learning should look like? I do!