Alakai O Kauai Presentation of Learning
10 Nov

Alaka’i O Kaua’i Kindergarten Presentations of Learning: Making Musical Instruments

Project-based learning is thriving in Miss Casey Zoppa’s kindergarten class. Their driving question was “How can we as sound engineers build instruments?” We asked Ms. Z for some highlights of this exciting project. Read her insights below, and then be sure to check out the video of the kindergarteners making some beautiful noise in their Presentations of Learning (POLs).

What inspired this project?

That’s easy! This year I have a class of sixteen boys and six girls. The only thing that most of them have in common is the fact that they all are very loud and love music. We very quickly decided making noise was one of the things that brought us together.

What was a surprising result of this project?

The surprising result was how much the kids loved learning about the science of noise. They weren’t just interested in making the instruments themselves. They loved learning about sound waves and how our brains receive them and code them into messages that we understand.

Also, it was amazing watching them collect recycled materials and turn them into a variety of beautiful instruments.

What were some of the most interesting observations learners made?

While studying and making instruments, the learners realized that the different ways instruments are made created their different noises. They also realized even though we can re-create the instruments, we couldn’t actually make them yet. They learned that professionals who make instruments take time and slowly work with tools to create the instruments.

Check out this video to see the kindergarteners making music in their Presentation of Learning:

08 Feb

‘Paradise Park Amusement Park’ – 2nd Grade POL February 10

On Monday, February 10, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., our 2nd graders will have a Presentation of Learning called Paradise Park Amusement Park.

Miss Brown and the learners will present a slideshow about the driving question: “How can we create an amusement park with fun-filled rides using math, science, and engineering?”

Pictures and short video clips will showcase learner work.

The following stations will be set up in the classroom:

  • Math Station
  • Map Station
  • Candy Testing Station
  • Individual Amusement Park Rides

In addition, learners will sell refreshments.

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Presentation of Learning
11 Oct

Kindergarten POLs

The week of Oct. 1 in kindergarten, we did our first community helpers Presentation of Learning (POL). We are so proud of our kindergarteners! They worked so hard the past month to learn all about the community helpers.

In this POL, the learners got to pick who they wanted to be when they grow up. The goal was that the learners be able to articulate who they were, what tools they would use, and how they help the community.

Project-based learning is a great way to showcase an individualized learning around what each learner finds interesting.

Alakai O Kauai Presentation of Learning
29 Mar

Presentations of Learning in Miss Casey’s Kindergarten

Miss Casey’s Kindergarten class held their Animal Habitats Presentation of Learning before Spring Break. Their driving question was, “How can we help animals in their habitats?” The keiki researched and investigated different types of habitats, including animals, weather, physical characteristics, and threats to wildlife. They created a model of one of the habitats, along with a book and notecards to share with their families and fellow learners at the school. It was a wonderful opportunity for growth for all!

16 Dec

Presentation of Learning

Thank you to all of the families who came out to celebrate our first Presentation of Learning on Friday, Dec. 14. Our facilitators and learners were so excited to show off all the hard work that has gone into our school-wide unit of study focused on the garden and sustainability here on Kaua’i. The learning from this project will continue on throughout the year as the garden continues to grow and evolve.

We will also be participating in Project Lemon Tree. “Project Lemon Tree is a living, outdoor classroom program where Bizgenics provides free lemon trees and design-thinking sessions to Hawai’i schools. Public and private schools on all islands, as well as businesses and community locations, are also invited to participate. The program anchors a curriculum system for grades K-12 in the subjects of agriculture, farm-to-table, culinary, ecology, water conservation, Ahupa’a eco-ag systems (native Hawaiian plants), trellis building (architecture, engineering and construction), crafts, innovation, and entrepreneurship.”

Miss Ashley and her learners have been spearheading a partnership with this organization and designed and built a model of the trellis they hope to build with school volunteers in the next few months. All learners at the school from K-6 will be able to participate in this project and curriculum, and a lemon tree will be donated to each classroom to plant and nurture as part of the program.