Come Fly With Us

It all began with a few blocks and some very creative Kinders. Over the course of several days, a handful of boys and girls decided to build a plane in the block centre. Each time Mr. Pickett and Ms. Campbell came over to check out the progress being made, new aircraft parts had emerged. A cockpit, wings, a tail fin, a steering yoke and a cozy passenger area which could seat 4 people. Next came the runway and a city which was visible from the cockpit. The pilot, co-pilot and passengers were ready for their first flight. The question was posed, "Where would you like to go?" There was no doubt about it. Everyone decided that Disney World would be the perfect destination. This gave Ms. Campbell an idea. "In order to fly from Canada to Disney World, you will need a passport." So the children created their own passports.

Who could leave on an airplane for Disney World without luggage? So, passengers created their own carry-on baggage. Note the wheels. :o)

By this point, interest in this provocation had feverishly spread across the room. Everybody wanted in on the act. So, the learning carpet was transformed into an Air Canada aircraft. Passengers had to present their passports and check their baggage before boarding the aircraft. A pilot and co-pilot were selected to pilot the aircraft to Orlando, Florida. Through the magic of YouTube and the LCD projector in the classroom, YouTube clips were played to simulate takeoff and touchdown. 

Passengers sat safely in their seats taxiing down the runway. 

Once the plane landed in Orlando, YouTube took us on an exciting tour of some of the attractions at Disney World.

After experiencing the excitement of touring around Disney World, the children didn't want the adventure to end. A suggestion was made to fly to China. So, off to China we flew. Once there, we toured the Great Wall. Thanks, YouTube. Then, we had an opportunity to visit a Chinese school where children were learning to read numbers in Mandarin. 

The next day took us on a flight to Africa where the students enjoyed an African safari. This led to a classroom safari where children had to seek out and find pictures of African animals posted in 'not so obvious places' around the room. 

The following day, our aircraft took us to the Arctic. The temperatures were bitter outside, so we decided to learn a bit about the wildlife that resides in the Arctic. 

As the week drew to a close, we decided to finish our world tour by flying to Venice, Italy. Again, YouTube provided great footage of approaching Venice from the air. The boys and girls noticed quickly how much water surrounded the buildings in Venice. Again, another YouTube tour guide clip introduced the children to the sights and sounds of Italy's floating city. We enjoyed eating our pasta lunch in Venice. Ahhh!

Following our tour of Venice, children found a large piece of craft paper and a variety of blue paints in various tints, tones and shades awaiting them the next morning. Those who wanted to use their hands to create a huge mural of blue were invited to participate at the art table. Painting the paper with your hands covered in blue paint is so much fun.  Once the paper was dry, Ms. Campbell cut the paper into different shapes to represent the waters of Venice. These pieces of paper were placed in the centre of the learning carpet as the class sat around the perimeter. One by one, students were invited to select as many blocks as their years in age. They could then contribute to creating a small scale representation of Venice.

Here was how 'our Venice' looked when it was completed.

A few students created their own tributes to Venice, Italy. Here is what one Senior Kindergarten young lady created.

(Welcome to Venice. We are at the waterside.)

Our tour around the world was tracked on a map. 

I wonder where our travels might take us next?