Fishes: A Didactical Unit in an Uncommon School

Abstract

In this case study we describe and interpret a didactical experience centered on the theme “Fishes” and developed in a first-grade classroom of an innovative school. We systematically recorded the experience, collected documents,and interviewed the principal, the teacher and the students. Seven categories were used for the interpretation of data: learning connected to the real world, availability of sufficient resources, excessive narrowness of the theme, openness vs. structure in the didactical work, children as protagonists, a rich school life beyond the classroom, and the multi-faceted relation between school and home. The article outlines and discusses children’s learning achievements.