The students of Oak Learners recently completed an incredible six-week journey into the fascinating world of flight. This unit was an immersive experience for both students and teachers, blending creativity, hands-on exploration, and cross-curricular connections to make learning come alive.
A Flying Start
The unit took off in style, led by our passionate and enthusiastic lead teacher and vice-principal, Mishka Khilnani, who made every effort to inspire her students from day one. For the first week, she transformed herself into a different flight-related character each day, sparking curiosity and excitement as students walked through the doors each morning. The school itself became an airport, complete with passports, boarding passes, baggage x-rays, and security checkpoints. This imaginative kickoff set the tone for a learning adventure like no other.
Connections Across the Curriculum
Flight became the central theme connecting Science, Math, Literacy, Arts, and Outdoor Education. Each discipline offered unique insights into the wonders of flight:
Science: Students explored the history and mechanics of flight, from the earliest Chinese kites to modern electric planes powered by renewable energy. They delved into the properties and forces of flight, learning about lift, thrust, drag, and weight through engaging hands-on activities. Students also connected these concepts to living organisms, studying how birds, insects, and even bats achieve flight.
Math: Measurement played a starring role as students learned about measurement units and conversions in the classroom before applying their knowledge outdoors. Activities included estimating and measuring areas of their favorite outdoor locations and calculating the circumference of trees. These real-world applications deepened their understanding while keeping them engaged and active.
Literacy: Reading activities centered on flight-related texts, expanding students’ vocabulary and comprehension of key terms essential to their learning. Writing exercises included labeling diagrams of airplanes and creating reflections on their learning experiences.
Arts: Creativity soared as students crafted a stunning 3D timeline showcasing the history of flight. This collaborative project is now proudly displayed at the Lakeshore campus, serving as a testament to their hard work and collective learning.
Outdoor Education: The natural environment became an extension of the classroom, where students participated in measurement activities, paper plane experiments, and tree-based geometry challenges. We even took a turn at creating our own kites and taking them to the skies! It was a very windy day and we had some setbacks but the students learned from them and knew how they would alter future designs so their kites could soar to their potential. Outdoor Learning added an exciting dimension to the unit, fostering curiosity and teamwork.
Experiential Learning Highlights
One of the hallmarks of this unit was the emphasis on experiential learning. Students had the opportunity to:
- Watch airplanes land, observing flight mechanics in real time.
- Take part in flight simulations, experiencing the thrill of piloting an aircraft.
- Visit the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, connecting history and innovation.
- Design, test, and analyze their own paper planes, kites, and flying devices, combining creativity and scientific inquiry.
Reflecting on the Journey
Through this unit, students not only gained knowledge about flight, but also developed skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. The hands-on approach and interdisciplinary connections ensured that every child was engaged and inspired.
Our students have come away with a deeper appreciation for the marvels of flight and the impact it has on our world. From their excited chatter about visiting the museum to their proud presentations of custom-designed flying devices, it’s clear that this unit left a lasting impression.
We are so proud of our young aviators and cannot wait to see where their learning journeys will take them next. At Oak Learners, we’re committed to creating learning experiences that inspire curiosity, foster growth, and, above all, make education an adventure.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore, create, and learn together in our next unit which will take us around the world!
