trevordayschool

1 6 T R E V O R D AY S C H O O L n W I N T E R 2 0 1 6 – 2 0 1 7 providing students access to experts in their field of study. Perhaps even more important than answering questions and assisting in research, experts can inspire and share with students their passion for the subject area. We have developed a strong relationship with the nearby Wild Bird Fund, a small nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates local birds. A Wild Bird Fund educator visits 1st-grade classes once a month to work with students; they also lead bird walks in the Ramble and allow students to tour their facility and see firsthand how their resident birds are cared for. We also have a long-standing connection with the educational division of the Central Park Conservancy, which provides workshops for teachers and experiences in stewardship for students. Students rake, spread mulch, and pick up garbage—all tangible efforts that contribute to the park's care. We bring the connection full circle in the spring, when 1st -grade students create crafts to sell (the "Central Park Store"), the proceeds of which are donated to the Central Park Conservancy and the Wild Bird Fund. Students' sense of responsibility and commitment to their community and the environment is enhanced by this direct connection with nonprofit organizations, especially those that are instrumental to caring for our natural commons. To be good learners, students need to learn to formulate good questions and to listen and respond to others' questions. With inquiry, you light the match of engagement, discovery, and study. Students learn how to ask solid questions that will guide their experiments and research, and direct their observations to develop hypotheses. Questions that lead 1st graders to inquiry, experimentation, observation, and data collection include: Why is the park an important part of our habitat? Why is the water temperature higher than the air temperature? What can we learn about a bird just by observing it? is framework of questioning increases the student's engagement with the material, and therefore there is a stronger commitment and ability to persevere and develop a deeper understanding. Academic content The student is an active scientist, not a passive reader of what has been accomplished by other scientists. Learning focuses on meaningful, actual problems and questions that allow students to learn through their personal investigation.

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