Does learning have to be expensive?

I came across this video while reading 'What Ed Said'.  Thank you Ed for opening my eyes to something that was right in front of me! 
http://www.creativevisions.org/get-involved/cap/landfill-harmonic

I started reflecting over the year that was 2012 today and one thing really stuck out.

"It doesn't take the earth to engage students in learning!"

It's strange that when we think about what is best for our children/students when it comes to learning we go for the expensive items, books and learning systems, computer items and software.  Which makes a lot of sense because these are all prefered activities for students.

The interesting thing is that the more schools use these items, the more "normal" they become.  The other side of that coin is many "old fashioned" teaching tools that used to be "normal" are now becoming unusual and interesting.    Especially in grades 4 to 6 where many things, like classroom reading and paper construction, have given way to modern curriculum concerns and the need to get them through it all.  These too can be refreshed and brought into line with modern teaching practice and become "preferred activities". 

In my teaching I love to see how far I can push myself out of my comfort zone.  I started by cutting back on the resources that I would lug around with me, the worksheets for 'just in case' and the 'security blanket' activities.  I started to use items that were in my environment at school, along with the school library.  What I found amazing was the way I had to think was quite different.  The lessons had to appeal to the students and teach them something but I also had to think on my feet and make it fun and engaging too.  Students were wanting to learn, they were proud of their results and looked forward to sharing these lessons with others.

On a day where students rotated through a couple of different classrooms completing literacy and maths activities while in cross aged groups, I used a book to launch into a varied literacy lesson including creative writing, drafting and a bit of paper construction on the side.  A colleague told me that she loved watching the year 6 boys walk into her classroom after mine, holding their teeny tiny tea cups in their hands.  She said the care these boys showed amazed her and she asked them about the activity that lead to this creation.  The boys excitedly explained each and every step for her, right down to how they each individually designed their tea cup handles.

Mission accomplished.  Learning that was fun, engaging, cheap as dirt and gave the students ownership of their work.

This activity took the better part of an hour to complete from start to finish and yet all it used was a story book to set the scene, writing paper, recycled cardboard, glue/sticky tape and coloured pencils/textas.  No bells and whistles, nothing that uses batteries or plugs into a wall socket; just good, old fashioned educational fun.

Did it cost the earth?  Not at all!  Were the students engaged and wanting to learn?  Hell yeah!

So the next time you think the lastest greatest and most expensive educational item might solve all your teaching problems, think about how you would be able to achieve the same result without spending a cent.  You might surprise yourself, I know I did!


Mel.