"Rainforest" Sensory Poem
Carmen.Oliveira Diverse Learning Needs, Learning in a Real Life Context

Weaving Inspiration Into the Curriculum

One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is the creativity and inspiration we can weave into the curriculum to bring deep and meaningful learning experiences for our students (and ourselves!).  This past week my class enjoyed an art lesson integrated with media, oral communication, and writing expectations.  It served as a perfect example of how students become more engaged when our lessons are filled with what inspires us.

A friend of mine emailed me a phenomenal video depicting the sheer beauty, simplicity, and breath-taking scenery found in nature around the world.  It moved me deeply and I knew I had to somehow share it with my students in a meaningful way.  I decided to use it as the foundation for an art lesson.  We have been exploring cool and warm colours, texture, and patterns.  We watched the video and had a class discussion using sensory prompts (I see…, I hear…, I feel…, I smell…).  The descriptions were profound and all the students were eager to share their thoughts and feelings!

Next, students chose an aspect of nature (ocean, rainforest, sunset, etc.) to create a frame for a sensory poem using warm/cool colours and different textured paper.

Lastly, using a template as a guide, students created their sensory poem.  Students were encouraged to experiment with word choice and powerful images to portray their scene.  I cannot begin to describe how excited and proud they were to share their art and poetry with me and each other!  At the end of the experience, they asked to watch the video again.  I gladly shared it once more and silently thanked my friend for the inspiration that created a beautiful teaching opportunity.

"Rainforest" by Wafa Hakim

Rainforest

plants, rivers, animals

I see butterflies and nature everywhere

beautiful, colourful, fresh

I smell the fresh scent after rainfall

creeping, crawling, flying

I hear peace and quiet

silence, beauty, nature

I feel at home in the rainforest

Rainforest

"The Ocean" by Katelyn Tam
"Sunset" by Darshak Patel

 

 

Photo of Sangeeta McCauley
Sangeeta.McAuley Building Inclusion, Diverse Learning Needs, Learning About Your Students, Wellness

One student at a time…

Sometimes when I look at my students, I wonder: how can I meet the needs of everyone?

Will I be able to support the student who is feeling bullied or the student who struggles to grip a pencil? Will I figure out the best way to explain to a parent that we are focusing on inclusion and gender equality when that may be contrary to how she was educated?

And the answer that comes to mind is definite: not every minute of every day.

But…I can start with one student at a time.

Take “Matthew”. He has been diagnosed with ADHD and takes medication daily to help him manage impulse control and the challenges he has with filtering his thoughts. Matthew’s medication is time-released and so the first few hours of the morning are very difficult for him until things start to ‘kick in’, as he calls it.

So, I tried a few things. I gave him time to do something hands-on when he first came in, but he became frustrated. I used my gym time first thing in the morning to help him work through some of his excess energy, but it seemed to distract him more.

Then last week, I decided to make a morning message for him. I recorded a personal greeting that gave him information about what we would be doing that morning and how he might be successful in those tasks. As he listens, it helps him to access an inner voice he knows he has, but he just can’t hear yet.

Of course, there is no magic answer for Matthew or for any of my kids for that matter. Like us, they will have up and down days and sometimes things won’t work. But maybe if I take on one student at a time, I can start to meet their needs…and mine.