LEARNING STORY by Amanda Cimino

OUR STORY

When we were sitting as a class together, I asked Will about the discovery he made yesterday when he
was at the light table with Tanner.

Will shared his learnings about when he used the prism and what was happening. He also showed us his
picture that was drawn by using the diamond at the light table.

Will shared how he put the diamond in front of the “light table” (projector), which then displayed
different light patterns on the wall. He said, “Then it made a bunch of them and when I turned it, it
made a bunch of them” and then stated how the flat parts helped him make the circles on the wall.

A student then asked him to show the class how to make the picture that he drew.

He then demonstrated to the class, the lights that he saw the day before with a projector on the wall in
the class.

I then asked Will what he noticed, and Will said that he noticed a bunch of pictures. This was then
followed up with asking “what is causing that?”, Will then answered that the little flat parts on the
diamond are causing the lights.

Will’s presentation of the lights was then opened up to questions from the other students in the
classroom. One other student asked, “How do you make the round circles like a dance party?” It was
then brought to the class’ attention from the other educator in the class that Tanner was with Will when
they were at the light table.

Tanner was then asked to show the class what he did to make a dance party. He said how he used the
big crystal and spun it so that it made a dance party. He then proceeded to show the class how spinning
the crystal on the light table displayed lights across the classroom.

Other students then got excited and noticed the lights all around them, as well as on them. One student
then proclaimed, “I can feel it goes on me!”, as the light flashed on him.

What it means (Interpretations)

Will demonstrated many different abilities when he demonstrated his learning to the class. He was able
to explain his story to the class as well as show the class what he did to get his initial drawing. Will was
able to listen and respond to others while presenting his findings when using the diamond to make light
patterns. As well as was able to use his language skills to connect new experiences to what he and the
class already know. Will was also able to use the materials given to carry out his own explorations and
describe the natural occurrences while using his own observations and representations, for example
though his drawing that was shown to the class.

Opportunities and Possibilities (Implications)

 Will has shown that he understands the concepts of light and reflection as well as the shapes depicted,
but he has not yet grasped the correct vocabulary. We can have Will demonstrate to the class different
patterns or reflections that he can teach the students. He can also show how he drew the initial picture
and have the rest of the class participate in the drawing. We can also maybe use different shapes and
see what other reflections come from those as a class.