Technology is a critical component to learning for the simple fact that it is everywhere. Educators have a responsibility to demonstrate the positive use of technology throughout a child's growth and development. This is where research with a creative twist comes into play. In addition to print resources, exposing the littlest learners to credible online resources helps them discover the value of technology to fill in knowledge gaps.
One of my favorite projects of the year is the mechina community helper project. Mechina translates to mean "preparation" in English. In mechina, we are preparing our four and five year olds for a successful next year in Kindergarten. The mechina class is a special group. It consists of small classes that have unique opportunities. Among these opportunities is experiential learning on a grand scale.
Their community helper unit is one of my favorite experiential learning opportunities. It involves weeks of planning resulting in a trip to "Hollywood". The project starts by learning about a variety of community helpers and how they positively impact a community. Then, each student selects their own community helper whose identity they wish to assume. Upon selecting their community helper, the librarians ensure we have plenty of resources that support learning more about their chosen community helper. Over the years we have had some creative community helper choices, such as cherry picker.
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| Print books to support the learning |
In those cases, we special order additional resources. In addition to print books, we also turn to the PebbleGo database to fill in some of the research needs. Mechina students come to the library and browse for books that describe the role of their community helper. They engage in a note-taking process using a template from the book Library Research with Emergent Readers by Christa Harker and Dorette Putonti.
Pairing them with fifth grade mentors allows the fifth graders to assist with the note-taking while the mechina students add illustrations to represent the meanings within the notes.
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| 5th Grade research mentors |
Then, the teachers bring in community helpers to visit the school and talk to the young researchers about their roles in the community.
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| A visit from the bomb squad to learn how heroes protect our community |
Next, students create a storyboard and script for their upcoming film debut. In the film, they share facts about their community helpers and demonstrate what it means to be a part of a kehilah
, which translates into community
in Hebrew.
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| Storyboards for their Film |
After weeks of shooting their film, they are ready for their movie star debut. They dress in fancy clothes to walk the red carpet. They show off their talent in front of their parents and the student body receiving accolades for their hard work.
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| Media Center= Home of the Prelude to a Star Studded Event |
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| Clips from the Community Helper Film |
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Grab a program!
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| Star struck as she gets ready to accept her Oscar for her role in playing a chef. |
After the film screening, each star receives an Oscar for their grand performance. It is an affair to remember and one that they do not soon forget.
Pairing them with fifth grade mentors allows the fifth graders to assist with the note-taking while the mechina students add illustrations to represent the meanings within the notes. 
