Notes from the Classroom: From the Bird Blind to the Zoo: Curiosity in Motion at Miquon

By Marisa Campbell, Kindergarten/1st Grade Teacher

As Progressive teachers, we are always observing our students at work and play, listening closely to their interests and wonderings, and finding ways to weave these into the curriculum. Last year, our kindergarten and first grade groups (The Maples) were curious about the many animals in our Miquon habitat. Guided by their questions, we conducted research in books, with videos, and in the field- in this case, the Miquon Bird Blind- where we engaged in observational drawing and data collection and learned how to watch closely and think deeply.

As winter arrived, our attention shifted to the koi in the pond near our classrooms, and onto big questions about how they survive when the temperature drops (we even dipped a camera in the pond and took a video of the fish!). Together we conducted research into torpor and animal adaptations, learning how we, the animals, and the environment are all connected. We used what we learned to write and share poems, stories, books, and informational posters and even performed three plays featuring animals!

After our research, our curiosity about animals expanded and so it was time for more field work! This time, we headed to the Elmwood Park Zoo. To prepare for the trip, we looked at the zoo map and noticed the animals we might see. We also explored the features of animals by sorting them in different ways: by skin covering, by class, by habitat, and by body movements. This led us to ask questions including: Do sharks have scales? What covers a toad’s body? Are dolphins fish? Do turtles have scales? What are fish fins made of?

We dove into thinking about the attributes of animals, and the learners taught each other, puzzled over ideas, and arrived at definitions together. We were prepared to observe and think deeply about the animals. Families also engaged in this learning experience and we rode together on a school bus to the Zoo.

Some highlights included: giant drooling giraffes, a barred owl, red pandas, a snoozing alligator, goats, relaxed jaguars, and observing leopard surgery! The next day, when we discussed what we noticed at the zoo, the children shared the following new questions they developed on the trip:

Why was the bat walking upside down?
Why do alligators sleep so much?
How long can the otter stay under water?
Why did the jaguar have surgery?

Reflected here is our lived experience of inquiry-based, child-led learning. On to our next project!

This article was originally published in the 2023-2025 Annual Giving Report.