Kindergarten 2

 Great things are done by a series of small things brought together. -Vincent Van Gogh Small acts of kindness have the remarkable power to create a ripple effect that extends beyond the awareness of the giver. A simple hug,  offering a smile to a stranger, or helping a friend in need can set off a wave of positivity that could multiply when the act of kindness is paid forward by the receiver. Conversely, a single poor choice, when multiplied by many, can have a big impact on the world. This week, we began our inquiry on trash and how our actions affect our environment by reading a book called What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick. Through a simple question, the book underscores valuable lessons about the consequences of our actions, regardless of how small we think they are. For every poor choice -- such as wasting water, playing with our food, or throwing trash on the street -- the children reflected on what would happen if everybody copied that choice. They all agr...

  “And suddenly you know: It's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” -Meister Eckhart What does it mean to share the planet? In 2015, the United Nations authored the Sustainable Development Goals with a vision to create a better future for all. This is in response to the growing need for a change in our values and principles as a people to address the different issues that afflict the world. It is a big feat to undertake as the goals call for a global effort, and it's easy to forget that every triumph begins with a single step. One choice, one action, and one individual -- regardless of what age they are --   can ignite the spark to a big change.  In our last unit, the kindergarteners learned about different materials and how to manipulate and experiment on them. This week, they take the first step in discovering how they can use their knowledge of these different forms of matter to make a difference in a larger scale: the world. The next chapte...