Experiential learning

The PYP 3 students had an enjoyable and memorable start to this week, as they set out on a journey to Tamhini. Geared up for the field trip, the children got a chance to be amongst nature and explore their way through this forested area.

We were accompanied by Mr. Anirudh Chaoji and Mr. Monish Dave, adventure enthusiasts, who made this trip memorable with their expert knowledge of the local ecosystems. The drive to the destination was scenic and relaxing, and we got a chance to witness lush green paddy fields and misty hills all around. On route we took a quick detour to have a look at a spot where there were milkweed plants, spit- bugs, and some quartz stones, to enrich the day’s experience.

On reaching the destination, the children hiked their way through grassy patches, observing the prickly leaves of the eggplant, freshwater crabs, the mimosa (touch-me-not) plant. We were also privileged to see members of the local community who were working with bamboo that they use for basket weaving.

These experiences gave us a chance to observe natural defence mechanisms of living organisms, and the manner in which humans can live in harmony with the environment. To wrap up the field trip, all the students entered a cool, freshwater stream, and the happiness on their faces showed the joy of being at one with nature.

This experience on the trip were instrumental in informing the children about how nature thrives in different conditions. On returning to school the students continued to reflect on the trip and one learning engagement was to record their observations and experiences with the help of a ‘Digital Journal’, which reinforced our approach of integrating technology into our learning. The students were given a Google Slides template, and with glimpses of their field trip in each slide, the children were able to recount the way each image was associated with a learning experience for them. Each child added her/his personalized details about the images, and a beautiful digital journal took shape.

To take the unit further, another learning engagement was to provide the students with a handful of thought provoking images, that represented living organisms in different situations. The students had to choose a couple of the images and explain what they see and what they think the image represents; they were also asked how it made them feel or what it made them wonder about. The fact that an image speaks for itself was applied in this activity, so that each child’s interpretation holds the key to their individual perspective.

The central idea of the unit was further unpacked with the help of a deeper interpretation of the words ‘bio-diversity’, ‘systems’, and ‘balance’. Consequently, the students came up with their own version of the central idea, and this stimulated their conceptual understanding of the significance of ‘Sharing the Planet’.

The PYP 3 Team

Human systems and economic activities	The study of how and why people construct organizations and systems; the ways in which people connect locally and globally; the distribution of power and authority.
Social organization and culture	The study of people, communities, cultures and societies in the ways in which individuals, groups and societies interact with each other.
Continuity and change through time	The study of the relationships between people and events through time; the past, its influences on the present and its implications for the future; people who have shaped the future through their actions.
Human and natural environments	The study of the distinctive features that give a place its identity; how people adapt to and alter their environment; how people experience and represent place; the impact of natural disasters on people and the built environment.
Resources and the environment	The interaction between people and the environment; the study of how humans allocate and manage resources; the positive and negative effects of this management; the impact of scientific and technological developments on the environment.

Living things	The study of the characteristics, systems and behaviours of humans and other animals, and of plants; the interactions and relationships between and among them, and with their environment.
Earth and space	The study of planet Earth and its position in the universe, particularly its relationship with the sun; the natural phenomena and systems that shape the planet and the distinctive features that identify it; the infinite and finite resources of the planet.
Materials and matter	The study of the properties, behaviours and uses of materials, both natural and human-made; the origins of human-made materials and how they are manipulated to suit a purpose.
Forces and energy	The study of energy, its origins, storage and transfer, and the work it can do; the study of forces; the application of scientific understanding through inventions and machines. (IBO, 2009)

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