This collection of photographs documents the use of materials in provoking, facilitating, and providing rich learning opportunities for children ages 3-5.
The first series is a study of our community of Burlington. Reusing tape, the children constructed a map of our school on the classroom floor also incorporating literacy as they labeled their construction.
A study of self (portraints in particular in this case) incorporated a variety of materials reused such as the caps shown, gift packaging, tracing paper for self portraits, large butcher paper for portraits cast on the wall with a projector, inspired children.
A child's interest in constructing a Rube Goldberg machine, inspired the study of machines! A four month thread exploded into a majority of our classroom environment. Using any material available, for example; cardboard tubes, automobile stainless steel funnels, tape, cardboard, packaging, old gutters, window shade samples, natural materials such as rocks, fence post pieces and recycled golf balls and ping pong balls all enhanced, challenged, and inspired children's hypothesis and theories. Videos of Rube Goldberg Machines were studied by children, who then found inspirations in creating and constructing their own! Children brainstormed and collected what materials they would use to construct and test their machines. This project surprisingly met every learning domain, style, and need. Each child planned, illustrated and organized their ideas, taking on project manager. Collaborating with peers to construct as well as deconstruct over a weeks time, each machine stood for a weeks time, adding to daily and tested endlessly.
A study of color; primary and complementary was experimented with in our classroom light studio. Using old clear plastic ornaments, cardboard tubes, eye droppers, glass tubes from the UVM science labs, clear egg carton containers, coffee filters, plexi glass with magnets and recycled plastic cups from the ReStore. Children were able to tinker and test mixing colors or shades, with the opportunity to save samples, allowing them to reflect upon the process and further their knowledge.
