Video Library

Agency and Perspective Taking in Conflict

Deadly Animals

Democracy in the Soccer Fields

Pranking

Social Justice

Light Saber Duel

In this video, six boys organize a light saber fight with sticks (and they make sure no one gets hurt).

Oreo Filling

As a playful introduction to algebra, the teacher leads a conversation where students:

• Notice differences among the ingredient lists of different types of oreo cookies
• Name wonders (questions) about their noticings
• Identified a wonder worthy of mathematical investigation
• Discuss how to investigate their wonder

Additional information about this unfolded lesson can be found in the Pedagogy of Play working paper More than one way: An approach to teaching that supports playful learning.

A cycle

Preparing a poster

In preparation for the class sharing information with a younger group about climate change, a teacher supports a student in using PowerPoint to create a poster.

You shouldn't eat sand

Two students play at a sand table. One is pretending to eat the sand, and then puts a cork in his mouth and spits it out. He repeats this several times. His friend then calls the teacher over. The teacher and the student have a conversation about putting things in their mouths.

Exploring the Beach and the Ocean

Una clase sobre el mar y los animales marinos. ¿Has estado en el mar? sólo una de las chicas respondió que sí. Los niños visitan la maloka para pasar un día de playa y conocer sobre el mar.

A class about the sea and marine animals. Have you been to the sea? only one of the girls answered yes. Children visit the maloka so they can have a day at the beach and learn about the sea.

A playground

Grade R (5-year-olds), Esikhisini Primary School, Pretoria (Attridgeville), South Africa, Teacher: Sibongilo Mnisi

This video captures a range of activities—running, climbing, see-sawing—during a child-directed, outside play time.

The Dance Club

Grade 2 (seven-year-olds)

Esikhisini Primary School

Pretoria (Attrideville), South Africa

Teacher: Kabezwane Chezi

During an English vocabulary lesson, Kabezwane Chezi has her second graders act out a number of clubs to help them understand the meaning of the word club.

A man with a big tummy

Grade 2 (seven-year-olds)

Esikhisini Primary School

Pretoria (Attrideville), South Africa

Teacher: Kabezwane Chezi

During an English lesson, Kabezwane Chezi uses movement to help her students learn about the lower case letters b and d.

Explore Day

Grade 5 (ten-year-olds)

Nova Pioneer Ormede

Johannesburg, South Africa

Teacher: Firdous Ismail Karolia

Every Friday at Nova Pioneer Ormede is “Explore Day” where students engage in long term projects. Firdous Ismail Karolia’s Grade 5 learners are exploring the Soweto Marathon (which Firdous and some of her colleagues will be running), and have decided to make a 3-dimensional model of the race’s route.

How much does she weigh?

Grade 2 (seven-year-olds)

Nova Pioneer Ormede

Johannesburg, South Africa

Teacher: Nuhaa Ismail

In a lesson on measurement, Nuhaa Ismail asks her Grade 2 learners to estimate in small groups the weight of a classmate.

You Can Ring a Bell

Grade 2 (seven-year-olds)

Nova Pioneer Ormede

Johannesburg, South Africa

Teacher: Nuhaa Ismail

In a small group, four of Nuhaa Ismail’s Grade 2 learners collaborate to come up with phrases that include “ing.”

I Want You to Explain to Them

Plant Scientists