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| Brook exploring bugs with preschoolers |
Just like every day where I go into a new
volunteering scenario with WEN I woke up energized and a little bit uncertain
about what the rest of the day would behold. I showed up to the office and got
a complete rundown of the wonderful lesson plans and various activities that
Deb had prepared. As a wise teacher once told me... You always have to have
back up activities for the already established back up activities... or
something like that.
Al showed up. Macroinvertabrate extraordinaire! Seriously.. He looks at these little buddies for a living and is just a walking wealth of knowledge, and not to mention a super valuable asset for what laid ahead of us.
Stephie and I were sent to the creek to collect bugs. Waders on, nets and hands we were wiggling away in the creek, collecting all sorts of little friends to bring to the school. Once we were satisfied with our sampling we drove to the Primrose Monastery School. At first we were blind on where we were supposed to be going, but then we saw the WEN sign nested on the side of the street next to one of the most spectacular buildings, in my opinion, in Missoula. This school is like Hogwarts for preschoolers, I was in awe.
We walked in, bug jugs in hand and found our wonderful team; Cassie, Deb, and Al. Stephie and I assisted in setting up and then we were all funneled into the building which I so eagerly wanted to explore! And then sitting on the floor were a cluster of kiddos, eager to know who were and what we were doing at their school.
After all the introductions, we took the kids outside. And all of their little heads plunged into the depths of macroinvertebrates and the incredible experience of seeing them so intimately. These kids were so curious, kind, and respectful to the bugs. Asking questions like, “How do they breathe? Where do they live? What is this one? Are they all friends? Do they eat each other? What would it be like to live underwater?” All were beautifully articulated questions and made me (as someone who has a very limited knowledge about macroinvertebrates) really challenged to learn more and be excited and curious just the same as these kids.
Moving along there was lots of giggling, magnifying, running around, dancing, and chatting. In order to diversify the amount of activities Deb and Cassie led a bug lesson where we learned about movement and anatomy that acts as a way to identify the different bug species. We did the dance that went:
Head Thorax Abdomen Six Legs!
Head Thorax Abdomen Six Legs!
Head Antennas Exoskeleton
Head Antennas Exoskeleton
Head Thorax Abdomen Six Legs !
Then we talked about how the different bugs
move…
The Mayfly does the Mayfly mambo
The Caddisfly does the Caddisfly thrash
The Stonefly does the Stonefly strut
The kids loved it. I did as well, and honestly I’m bummed that this physical way of learning really didn't show up in my college education. Being able to act a process like this out is so incredibly beneficial.
As the day came to an end there were songs sung, dancing, wiggling, crafting and loads of love and hugs were had. And I can say with a full heart that this school and the kids that make it up are truly a gem nested within Missoula. I hope these kiddos continue to bring their curiosity and kindness in their future exploration in creeks to come.
Thanks for having the WEN team Primrose Montessori Team! I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn with you all!
Rock on,
Brook
