Teaching with a sprinkle of magic enhances the learning experience, making it more engaging and memorable for students. In a world where attention spans are shrinking and technology is ever-present, incorporating a touch of magic can captivate students' interest and encourage active participation in the learning process. One way to infuse magic into teaching is through the use of visual aids and props. For example, when teaching a lesson on the solar system, a teacher could use a model of the planets and make them magically appear one by one, revealing interesting facts about each planet along the way. This not only makes the lesson more interactive but also sparks curiosity and creates a sense of wonder in the students. Another way to incorporate magic is through storytelling.
Wriggling snake experiment.
Our minds wander off to images of gingerbread house decorating, cookie parties, caroling, getting caught up with grading, reading, exercise, and the potential for break fun. A Professor of Cognitive Health at the University of Oxford commented that, the idea of reading imaginative stories with your child, solving problems, the richer your child s cognitive life is, the richer their adult cognitive life will be.
Another way to incorporate magic is through storytelling. Teachers can create captivating narratives that transport students to different times and places, making the subject matter come alive. By using dramatic storytelling techniques, such as changing voices or using props, teachers can create an immersive experience that draws students into the lesson and ignites their imagination.
"Are you ready to sprinkle some magic on your STEM activities this year?" by Gina Bale
Following on from the November article “Putting the ‘A’ in STEM”, I thought we could start the New Year together with some creativity and roleplay to engage your little ones in learning with a little bit of magic! Don’t worry as we have done all the hard work and planning for you.
Are you ready for some fun as you take your little ones on a magical “Visit to the zoo” to meet animals from different countries? Think of all the opportunities to learn about their habitats and environment. How they move, sound, and what they eat – hopefully not us!
Building the excitement for your “Visit to the zoo”
Before you even embark on your adventure together, you can have so much fun building the excitement. Let the children know we are going to visit a zoo. Share everyone’s experiences of visiting a zoo and the animals you met.
Talk about, and look at images, and footage, of the different animals you might see on your “visit to the zoo”. What is their favourite and why?
Where is the nearest zoo or wildlife park to your setting or home? How long would it take to get there by train, bus, car, bicycle or foot? Luckily, you will have a super-fast Littlemagictrain. Best of all he is totally environmentally friendly as he runs on magic sprinkles – not a fossil fuel in sight!
What do we need to take with us to the zoo?
For me, the most important thing is to make sure we take water to keep hydrated and have a yummy picnic for lunch. My tummy rules my world!
Make sure we are in the right clothes for rain, snow, or hopefully glorious sunshine.
Don’t forget your trusty binoculars in case the animals are hiding. Pack a camera, tablet or mobile to take pictures of all the animals you see.
Emotions and feelings
How we will all feel seeing lots of different animals, spiders, and snakes? Are we excited or feeling a little bit nervous?
Already we have discussed healthy eating, appropriate clothing, technology and emotions – so much learning with imagination!
Don’t forget to ensure that you include sensory activities for your little ones. Think of all the fun with a zoo sensory bin with different textures of fur and feathers. Mud bath for the hippos and of course feeding the animals.
This is also an ideal way to learn about people in the community that help us and our pets. The animals in the zoo also have doctors, dentists, and dieticians. Have lots of fun brushing the tiger’s or very scary hippos’ teeth. Compare our cats and dogs to the big cats and wolves you will see in the zoo. What if a tiger really did come to tea?
What will I get?
Our “Visit to the zoo” adventure along with all the linked resources (all yours to keep) and access to 6 weeks of support. How can you resist?
Hop on board your ‘Discover your very own Littlemagictrain’ session followed by ‘Growing your Littlemagictrain’. Don’t worry, the sessions are short only 30 minutes long as we totally understand the demands on your time. After this, you will then have access, 24 hrs a day, to our vault of training videos linked to your ‘visit to the zoo’. This is open to all members of your team over the 6 weeks. What’s not to love?
What do I have to do?
Just email a big “Parenta, take me to the zoo” to the team at [email protected] and we will get everything sorted for you.
Some STEM ideas that will work alongside your adventure but please don’t forget to add the ‘A’.
- Early Science
Why do polar bears have big paws? Learn about snowshoes and why they work.
Wriggling snake experiment.
How do arctic animals stay warm – blubber?
Why is a flamingo pink and why do its feathers repel water?
Tiger’s eyes – why do they glow in the dark?
- Early Engineering
Making homes for all the animals – polar bears to lions.
Build a doorway that is tall enough for the giraffe.
Building a bridge for the animals to walk under.
Create a pathway for all the animals to run on with places to hide.
Creating and making items to transport the animals and us to the zoo.
Loose parts - security (locking up) as we don’t want the animals to get lost.
Walkie-talkies for the zookeepers.
Create a code to feed the animals.
Animal scavenger hunt using the ipad/tablet/camera.
Giving the animals haircuts.
Cash till for the tickets.
Sorting animals – footprints, spots, stripes etc.
Making money, credit cards to pay for tickets.
Big and small animals.
Different patterns on snakes, tigers, zebra, giraffe, leopards – the list is endless.
Chopping up and measuring ingredients to feed the animals.
#earlyyearseducation #earlyyears #earlyyearsdevelopment #stem
Walkie-talkies for the zookeepers.
Magic can also be integrated into assessment methods. Instead of traditional quizzes or exams, teachers can design magical quests or challenges that require students to apply their knowledge and skills in a fun and unique way. This not only makes the assessment more enjoyable for students but also encourages critical thinking and problem-solving. In addition to enhancing engagement and memorability, teaching with a sprinkle of magic can also foster a positive classroom environment. By incorporating elements of surprise and joy into lessons, teachers create a sense of excitement and enthusiasm that permeates the classroom. Students are more likely to be motivated to learn and participate when they feel a sense of delight and wonder in the classroom. Overall, teaching with a sprinkle of magic can transform the learning experience for students. It makes lessons more engaging and memorable while fostering curiosity, imagination, and a positive classroom environment. By incorporating visual aids, storytelling, and creative assessments, teachers can create a sense of wonder that inspires students to become active and enthusiastic learners. So why not add a touch of magic to your teaching and watch your students' engagement and understanding soar?.
Reviews for "The Enchanted Classroom: Creating a Magical Atmosphere for Learning"
1. Karen - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Teaching with a sprinkle of magic". The book promised to provide practical strategies for incorporating magic into teaching, but I found that it lacked substance. The author mainly focused on vague anecdotes and personal experiences without providing any concrete ideas or techniques. Additionally, I felt that the book was geared more towards elementary school teachers, and as a high school teacher, I didn't find much value in it. Overall, I don't think this book lived up to its potential and would not recommend it to other educators.
2. Mark - 1 out of 5 stars - I have to say, "Teaching with a sprinkle of magic" was one of the worst books on teaching I have ever read. The author seemed more interested in promoting their own teaching style and brand rather than providing practical advice. The book was full of unnecessary fluff and lacked any real substance. I was hoping to find innovative ideas for engaging students and making learning more enjoyable, but instead, I got a self-indulgent collection of stories and vague suggestions. Save your money and look for other resources on teaching.
3. Jessica - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for "Teaching with a sprinkle of magic", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. While the author did provide some interesting anecdotes and examples of using magic in the classroom, I found the book to be too focused on the author's personal experiences rather than providing practical strategies that can be implemented by other teachers. Additionally, the book lacked a clear structure and often jumped from one topic to another without providing a cohesive framework. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed by this book and would not recommend it to fellow educators.