The grade 1’s have been studying about “Neighbors” and “Communities” which happens to coincide with our Christmas around the world theme. To end our unit we did a S.T.E.A.M project to show and guide our students on how to become a global citizen.
Students were broken up into 5 groups which represented different communities and or countries. Their objective was to build the longest chain using only 2 pieces of paper, rulers, scissors, a limited amount of tape, and teamwork.
During the project a lot of different behaviors were exhibited from all groups. We saw groups sharing, helping, stealing, sabotaging, and cheating. Then this became a lesson within a lesson to show students appropriate and not appropriate behaviors in society.
At the end of our lesson some students felt great about how they worked together in their groups. And some thought of ways to do better next time. We then had them think about … what if all communities or countries came together and helped one another build the chain what would happen?
Written by: Ms. Anne, Grade 1A Homeroom Teacher