This week following a lesson on asking questions the students began practicing finding the MAIN IDEA and supporting details. The worksheet being used had information about a gentleman who climbed up and down Mt. Fuji on his pogo stick. Imagine the stamina and strength it would take to accomplish this feat! As the students continued reading they became fascinated by Ashrita Furman, the man who holds over a hundred other records in the Guinness Book of Records.
The students started asking lots of great questions. Why did he decide to break the records? How many records did he break? Where is he from? Why did climbing Mt. Fuji on a pogo stick bring inner peace? (the paragraph mentioned it brought Ashrita inner peace) What is inner peace? Is he still alive?
Not realizing the interest this would spark, we decided to take a few moments to research this unusual record-breaker. His website, which you can reach it by clicking HERE, has all kind of fun and amazing information. It also includes the video below:
Students each wrote a letter to Ashrita in their writing journal. They asked their questions about his records while also telling him about the records they would like break. One student wants to be the first to eat the most gummy bears in 5 minutes while another wants to pass a football non-stop and still another wants to write continuously in cursive.
One never knows where the learning will take us. The key is to take those teachable moments and follow where it leads!
Advice on "How to get started" by Ashrita Furman himself can be found on this page of his website: How to Get in the Guinness Book.
Please share in the comment section the record you would like to break!
I am guessing it is Madison that wants to break the world record for the most gummy bears in 5 minutes?? She is just loving your classroom Mrs. Carroll! Thanks for being so innovative and making learning relevant and FUN!!!
ReplyDeleteYou guessed correctly!!! I love that the kids become so interested in what they are reading. It makes learning fun! Thanks for leaving a comment.
Deletelearning and writing to ashrita furman was awsome and learning what the records our cassmate want to break
ReplyDeleteI loved learning about the records your classmates wanted to break because they gave me a little more information about what they like to do! It is fun to think that we can break a record too.
DeleteI recently read a book saying that Ashrita Furman held the record for deepest underwater pogo 1,251 ft.! I thought that was amazing. Please reply. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing! How did he do that? I wonder where he gets his funding as it seems he can't be working like regular folks because he must have to practice constantly. What do you think?
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