What A Journey

Since our return from spring break, our community has been incredibly busy in preparations for our celebrations of learning. Yes, I’ve intentionally added a plural on the concept of ‘celebrations.’ Two celebrations are about to be embraced and celebrated in the upcoming weeks! Our learning community has been deeply involved with the inquiry cycle with our learners feeling confident to share knowledge on what unity and diversity means with our `āina and share a bit of our unique selves in the Canopy Gallery. We are also busy preparing to share reflections of our growth with our `ohana with our student-led conferences coming up shortly after our celebration of learning.

It seems that all of our learning we are engaging with in Noio 4 could be defined as deeper learning.

And, what a journey it’s been the past few weeks! The keiki have been assigned in a group project to research native Hawaiian plants that are used as medicine and food. All of their plants are located around the Noio building so they are able to connect and truly appreciate our local ecology. They have been researching and communicating their knowledge together on the cultural and practical uses of the plant and the ecology and biodiversity of the plant. Questions generated by the children and School AI guided them together as they dove deep into their notes from our plant expert presentation, books, online resources, and websites.

How did ancient Hawaiians use the plant in their daily lives?

Share a myth that connects with your plant.

What is the history behind your plant?

How is your plant used today?

What are the physical characteristics of your plant?

What are the best conditions for your plant to grow?

What is the future of the plant in our local ecosystem?

The children also captured moments with their plants as they continue to practice kilo and connect with our special native Hawaiian plants. These photographs of each unique perspective the children have with their plant will be on display with the children’s research for you to ponder on. Along with our photography and research, children have expressed themselves through poetry on what unity and diversity means to each of them. What you might notice is how each child has discovered a bit more of who they are this year within our learning community. There’s a maturity in their reflective poetry that really is a gift to those who listen.

And, the icing on the cake is the children’s reflections on the school year and portfolio work that will be celebrated during our student-led conferences! The children experience deeper learning within the classroom when they think about their work using the learner profile traits. It’s a time to pause and value the dedication and deep commitment they have to their work. What the children have to share with us is meaningful, powerful, and impactful.

I am hopeful that your `ohana will take time over the next several weeks of this school year to embrace our learning journey together and celebrate a lens into our unique selves through unity and diversity.