Collecting Nature's Alphabet
School: The College School
City/State: St. Louis, MO
Grade(s): K
Format(s): Children's book: Alphabet
Subject(s): English Language Arts, Visual Arts
Project Overview
This book features two separate yet related projects created by kindergarten students at The College School in St. Louis, Missouri. After reading the book ‘Discovering Nature’s Alphabet’, kindergarten students were inspired and asked to go outside and look for their own alphabet. The following year, kindergarten students were motivated to create letters out of sticks and other natural materials. The two classes got together to share their work as a group.
The College School has a long-time affiliation with the Reggio Emilia preschools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, schools that focus on high quality art studio environments for young children that encourage creativity and expressive cooperation.
How This Project Can Be Useful
- An innovative way to teach students the alphabet and the shape of letters
- A nice example of letting young children led their own learning though the creation of their own project
- Sharing their work with other students creates community
- Careful observation of nature encourages appreciation for the natural world