Big Stick, Little Stick

Boxes and Sticks Inquiry Continued

We looked at our pile of sticks and picked out the biggest stick and the littlest stick.  Over the past few weeks we have spent some time learning how to measure a variety of objects.  We thought it would be interesting to measure and compare the difference between these two sticks.

First we measured the big stick.  We used some rulers, our Barbie dolls, a few cars, and some wooden blocks.  

We made sure to record our measurements along the way. 

Once we measured the big stick, we measured the little stick.  We learned that we needed to use the same objects that we used to measure the big stick in order to make an accurate comparison. 

Finally, we compared the big stick and little stick.  For example, we noticed that the big stick was five blocks long, and the little stick was one block long.   

   

Boxes Everywhere!

Boxes and Sticks Inquiry Continued

This interesting idea came from @MadiHayles of the Peel School Board.  I was searching twitter one evening last week when I came across her twitter account.  She tweeted a picture that showed a room filled with boxes and titled it, Boxopolis.  In her following tweets, she wrote about encouraging thinking, learning and self-regulation through play with the boxes.  I was completely impressed by this idea.  Because our students are in the middle of a Box and Stick inquiry, I thought it would be a great idea to try it out with them.  

Ms. Marrella and  I placed a variety of boxes on our carpet and invited a group of students to explore them.  

Ms. Marrella and I observed the way our students were playing with the boxes.  The first thing we noticed was individual personalities emerge.  Some students acted as group leaders, while others as team players.  We saw students having to communicate and compromise with each other in terms of the placement of the boxes and other items they were able to use.  We also observed our students experimenting with balance and problem solving when they were stacking the boxes.  Through their communication with each other, we could see and hear students using their imagination to construct something meaningful.     

Once the students had completed their construction, we asked them to describe what they had made.  We were very impressed by the details the students  incorporated into their structure.  For example, our students explained that they had created a Candy House complete with a chocolate pool and diving board.  In the Candy House lived a clam named Macaroni.  Our students found a small jewelry box that flipped open and closed.  The flipping motion of this box reminded them of a clam.  

Image of the clam (the red & white flip box)
that lives in the Candy House 

Through exploration, our students were free to be creative and use their imagination.  This simple, fun activity provided students with an opportunity to work together to create a structure.  Imagination, self-regulation, communication and problem solving took place during this period of play-based learning.   

  

Santa's Workshop

We are so excited to announce that our Dramatic Play Centre has been transformed into Santa's Workshop!  

Here is how Ms. Marrella and I co-constructed this space with our students.        

Dramatic Play Centre
Pre-Transformation

We let our students know that the Dramatic Play Centre would be transformed into a new space for the month of December.  We asked our students for some input.  Once we had our idea (Santa's Workshop), we needed to create a construction sign - we didn't want anyone to get hurt now that we were in a construction zone! 

    

Santa's workshop under construction.
Boots and hats on site!

For two weeks our students were so excited to collect items for Santa's Workshop.  Once we had collected a BIG pile of stuff, we sorted it out into different piles.  

Our pile of collected items.

Our collected items sorted into different piles. 

Once we sorted through that big mountain of Christmas stuff, we made a graph.

Next, we needed to make a plan.  We talked about where the items would be placed in Santa's Workshop.  Then we created a blueprint.  

Christmas Tree, Ornaments, Presents,
Fireplace, Garland, Stockings and Wrapping Paper

Here are some pictures of the students painting the fireplace, creating a computer for Santa, and decorating the Christmas tree. 

Santa's Workshop was ready for the little elves to play in! They can now write letters, wrap presents, measure and repair toys, and use a few digital devices (Santa has now entered the 21st century with his iMac, iPad and iPhone!). 

Co-constructing this space with our students was both a lot of fun, and a true learning experience.  The learning doesn't stop here though!  Our students will have a few weeks to interact with each other and this space.  We can't wait to see them play in Santa's Workshop next week.

A very big thank you to our parent community.  We could not have created this space without your support and generous donations.  Once again, Ms. Marrella and I were touched by your generosity and enthusiasm for this project.  There is no doubt that the students will play, learn and grow together in this space.  Thank you again!   

P.S. The website on the iMac is www.google.com/earth/