Let Kids Get Dirty

As busy teachers, our instinct is to contain the mess. Yet, if we’re honest with ourselves, learning is often best through doing. Sometimes a kid’s fondest memories of school is when they are allowed to get dirty.

In K-2, the NGSS includes many standards specific to plants, water and soil. For example, students are expected to “Construct an argument supported by evidence for how plants and animals (including humans) can change the environment to meet their needs” (K-ESS2-2 Earth's Systems) and “Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow” (2-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics).

I sell products on TPT that provide background information and writing activities for second graders. Yet, I think the the most engaging way to support student understanding is through hands-on exploration.

Through my years teaching kindergarten and first grade, I took my students into our school garden any chance we got. Naturally, the garden didn’t look that inspiring through the late fall and winter months. Sometimes a trip to the garden was simply to pick up trash and look for interesting things to draw in our science notebooks. I learned that it was okay to simply let them explore openly. Later, our class discussions about our discoveries led to more in-depth investigations, such as collecting rainwater over a week and comparing leaves.

Don’t be afraid to let kids get dirty. I believe that learning can be messy, but it’s well worth it. For some kids, your permission to learn through doing, along with open-ended questions, can help them think deeper and more critically about the world around them.

Check out my 2nd Grade science articles and writing activities to accompany your messy investigations!