It is important to make our classroom investigations valuable to the students, then they can take ownership of their learning.

This afternoon I received via email a photo of two of our class who had gone to a Chinese New Year Celebration over the weekend.  I love getting photos like this.  It reminds me of the importance of making our work in the classroom both enjoyable, and of value to the children.

When the students voluntarily take their own time to learn more, to find out more to share with the class, it demonstrates that the learning is valid, it is important to them and they are taking ownership of their understandings.