Play Piques Curiosity in Students & Educators From Detroit to Dallas

A teacher is naturally going to be curious when students are lying under a table on a classroom floor. I noticed a couple of preschoolers doing just that, so I investigated. I discovered they were creating masterpieces like Michelangelo; instead of using paint on the plaster ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, their medium... water markers on chart paper taped to the underside of a table.

These under-the-table artists are students at the Wayne State University Early Childhood Center (WSUECC) where royal scientists were also in attendance. I met the head queen scientist who declared that everyone there was a king, queen, or princess. They discussed the best way to wash dishes and the importance of brushing our teeth. 

In addition to exploring various identities through creative play, students imagined the experiences of the characters in the book Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum by Michigan author, Lisa Wheeler. Kelisa Wing, Department of Defense Education Activities' Teacher of the Year, joined me for the morning visit, and we partnered up as a read aloud duo. Students wondered how the animals would ever get out of the sticky situation. We all enjoyed hearing each others ideas and shared lots of laughs.

MME students' social practices equip them for deep thinking. 

 The fun with Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum continued at Mark Murray Elementary (MME) and Golightly Education Center (GEC) in Detroit. MME students shared thinking about the power of teamwork and the importance of problem solving based on the characters' experiences in the story. They engaged in discourse with each other and knew how to communicate with intention.  
First graders at GEC shared how to figure out the tricky parts of the book and how much fun it is to rhyme. They shared their love of reading and love of people by giving me lots of hugs! What could be better?

After our visit, I thought back on the artists under the table and the Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum book we shared. At first, the only thing I could remember discovering under a table at school was someone else's gum! But, as I continued to reflect on the privilege of connecting with the students and educators of these three Detroit schools, I was struck by similarities between the learning experiences that took place there and the learning experiences I had recently shared with fellow State Teachers of the Year at a conference in Dallas, TX. But then, drawing with markers on giant paper taped under the table reminded me of how, as teachers, we used markers on giant chart paper taped across the table tops to share thinking about the importance of meaningful and engaging professional learning experiences (often known as a "Chalk Talk"). 

GEC 1st graders are excited about reading & sharing strategies.

In addition to using giant chart paper and markers, we listened to and told stories, role-played, sang songs, shared strategies for figuring out "tricky parts" of teaching and learning, engaged in discourse to problem solve, and shared lots of laughter and hugs. We were engaged in playful processes that got us thinking, creating and talking in order to dig into topics like: Education Policy; Storytelling as Best Practice; Media Training; Integrating Digital Museum Resources into Your Classroom; Leading for Equity, etc. The learning processes revealed our thinking to one another and to our facilitators who observed and listened attentively. This was their formative assessment process that informed what they did next to support our thinking. We were also learning more about each other and developing as a group. The learning was challenging; yet, look at how much fun we were having! 

2017 State Teachers of the Year at work!

Exploring, creating and socializing in purposeful ways allows learners to experiment with different ways of thinking and acting to discover more about the world and who they are in it. This is what I'd call rigorous learning. Yes, rigorous. Drawing, pretending, listening to stories, talking to each other, etc. might be considered play. Yes, and... 
Kindergarten teacher and coauthor of Purposeful Play, Kristine Mraz, said "Play is a four letter word for rigor." Her book explores the idea that all play is purposeful. And,  Dr. Stuart Brown, a pioneer in play research, describes in his TED Talk a "state of play" that is vital to our intelligence and happiness. When we play, we are curious. When we are curious, we learn!

I am grateful for the learning experiences I had in Detroit, where my curiosity was piqued by artists under a table, royal scientists washing dishes, and joyful readers and rhymers who love sharing thinking and hugs. Taking a look at the world from their vantage point reminded me of how I, too, learn best. 

I hope your curiosity is piqued in many opportunities to play; and, may those joyful experiences remind you why and how you love to learn. For the love of learners, play on, and enjoy the wonder...