School turns museums into classrooms
dubai — Teaching and studying social studies can get a bit boring at times; therefore the Kindergartern Starters School (KGS) in Al Garhoud embarked on a unique approach to teach the subject by turning museums into classrooms.
Scores of students of KGS were given a chance to see, feel, and experience the rich past of the UAE, by being taken to the 47 museums rather than just studying about it in the textbooks. The school is taking over 1,200 students from KG 2 to Grade 5 to various museums spread across the country to get a deep understanding of Islamic art, inventions and culture. The museums’ project will take place throughout the year.
From touring maritime museums where children attended workshops on pearl diving and indulged in making pearl bracelets, to visiting the Sharjah Art Museum and the Sharjah Science Museum, the tiny tots carried a lot of valuable lessons from these visits.
Talking about the museums project, Asha Alexander, KGS principal, said: “Museums offer a dynamic opportunity to expose children to experiences and explore new things in a rich and educational environment. Through interactive exhibits and hands-on play, children get the ability to take ownership of their own learning and develop and explore their own curiosities. This unique exposure provides the foundation for creativity, critical thinking, and connection to the world around them.”
Museum authorities happy
The different museums management were happy to hold workshops for children — where they created artefacts and patterns and learned calligraphy — thereby encouraging students to appreciate
I wish my parents knew such a place existed, I never had an opportunity to visit such an interesting museum with my parents.” Naima Nishad, Grade 3
the need to preserve and showcase various artefacts in museums.
“Each step in the school-museum process is planned in advance of instruction. Teachers understand, refer to, and incorporate the key questions for each step of the process as they plan the project and as instruction unfolds. The social studies curricular objectives have been mapped in a way that students can use these experiences. Art gives children an experience like nothing else can. By turning museums into a classroom, children
I saw a mirror which shook hands with me. I wonder… how? I think someone was behind the mirror and it’s just magic.” Sianne, Grade 1
get a chance to connect, understand, and explore perceptions, feelings, and innovative thoughts,” Alexander told Khaleej Times.
One of the museum that students visited was the Majlis Ghorfat Umm Al Sheif museum, where children got a unique opportunity to learn about the historical furniture, tools and utensils in traditional Emirati majlis.
Established in 1955, the summer resort of late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum in the Jumeirah area, it contains samples of
Sharjah Science Museum was an exciting place. We had fun and learnt many new things. The bubble show was a fun experience.” Hafsa, Grade 1
copper buckets, coffee stoves, jars, earthenware, brassware, rugs and carpets, in addition to the relatively modern appliances of those times such as clocks and radios, along with defence tools like rifles and daggers which were carried by men in their belts.
The students toured the upper and lower floors of the Majlis, drew pictures of the artefacts, interviewed the curator and learned more than they ever would by turning the pages of a textbook.
“I wish my parents knew such a place existed, I never had an opportunity to visit such an interesting museum with my parents,” said Grade 3 student Naima Nishad.
A visit to the Sharjah Science Museum also fascinated the young ones. Grade 1 student Hafsa said: “Sharjah Science Museum was an exciting place. We had fun and learnt many new things. The bubble show was a fun experience. I felt soapy when I entered the bubble. I have never seen bubbles of different shapes.”
Sianne of grade 1B was awestruck. “I saw a mirror which shook hands with me. I wonder… how? I think someone was behind the mirror and it’s just magic.”
Alexander added: “We are looking forward to embedding this approach while transacting the social studies curriculum. It encourages experimentation, inspiration, creativity, enjoyment and allows for authentic learning experiences. With the advent of technology, the school is exploring virtual tours of museums that will further enhance the quality of their learning.”
saman@khaleejtimes.com