Community - Problem Solving -#3

The mast accidentally broke, so the children decided to use tape to repair it (after a many attempts with glue).

After the repair, they coloured the tape so that it would blend in.

I asked the children "what the best part of making your boat?"  Each child was very enthusiastic about their individual contributions:

"I cut all those tapes."
"All the purple strips are mine."
"I like the orange the best."

I assumed the children would reflect on what it was like to work together.  So, I switched gears and asked the children to draw a picture of how they have been generous with their families and peers at school:

"I like to share a little chocolate with Monty, but just a little because it's mine."
"I can swing Alan because he can't do it himself."
"When I talk to Avery it makes her smile so she's not crying so much."

This process helped me realize that while the children may or may not appreciate how they functioned as a community to create their beautiful boat, the concept of generosity is very much alive.  They worked as a team and no one was upset with the child who accidentally broke the mast.  Their first instinct was to solve the problem with glue (they are all quite fond of its stickiness).  What a lesson for us all: a mindful solution created a focused and engaged community of young learners.