We had a presentation on the water cycle for the fourth grade students today. It was not my favorite. The presenter spoke down to the children and told them a story wherein toxins and environmental contaminants were labeled "villains" instead of simply identified as toxins and contaminants. Anthropomorphized water droplets named, "Billy, Bob and, Joe" were *really attracted* to dust particles named, "Dusty, Dusterella and Dustzilla" - or something like that. It was, frankly, insulting.
It made me appreciate how we give children information in a straightforward and factual manner. We don't insult their intelligence by assuming they can't follow something like the water cycle and the importance of cleaning up after ourselves and limiting toxic exposure to our storm water without a cutesy story to go along with it.
Besides the fact that it wasn't really about the water cycle. I mean, superficially it was. She mentioned the steps in the cycle and explained that, while 78% of the earth is covered with water, only 3% of the water is drinkable, but other than that, the presentation was about the storm water collection system in Utah County. Important, yes, but I felt a bait-and-switch.
There was another presentation last fall. It was MUCH better. Next year, we won't be having these folks back.
No comments:
Post a Comment