Bugging Out

This pandemic has certainly changed the classroom experience. From masking up to social distancing, the routines of the kindergarten classroom are definitely different. Throw in cleaning and sanitizing protocols and sometimes the classroom doesn’t feel like a classroom at all.

People tend to consider me an overall positive guy but this year, that positive personality has faded at times. The stressors of this year and all the new and additional responsibilities that have taken over can certainly drown out some of the joy of teaching and learning.

But even when the days drag on and the frustration builds, kids have a way of making everything better.

On this particular spring-like day, a trip to the woods brought on one such moment. A few kids paid closer attention to a fallen branch normally ignored. A little bark removal brought on the ooohs and ahhhs of discovery.

Ants. Centipedes. Beetles. And some very excited kids totally bugging out at the sight of bugs.

Engagement. Communication. Collaboration. Moments of unfiltered joy and enthusiasm over something as simple as a bug. That’s the joy of learning.