Yesterday at our buddy time, I watched a six-year old kindergarten student teach approximately 40 fifth graders and first graders. It was amazing. With her fifth grade buddy at her side, she hopped up on the wooden stool in the front of the room, put her iPad under the document camera, and introduced her SCRATCH, Jr. version of Sleeping Beauty. With enthusiasm, she warned us that some characters might be "freaky" and you could close your eyes if that bothered you. Then she showed us the characters as she moved them about the screen skillfully managing the document camera, iPad, SCRATCH, Jr. platform and class. It was clear that she was following the skilled modeling of her teacher as she taught. The students watched with respect and care adding supportive comments or questions here and there.
As I watched, I thought about the need to offer more and more opportunities for students to shine in the day-to-day activities of school life.
This weekend I'll think more about this as I refine the plans for the next week's goals and focus.
