Monday, February 7, 2011

Just Add Index Cards

This year my class loves to play with blocks. In fact, once or twice we didn't have the blocks out...and some of the kids seemed a little confused about what to do in the room. 

Many times we just have blocks—and the kids are happy with that. But I try to find simple ways to enhance building opportunities. This week we had some animals and a few colored index cards. I folded a few to use as pretend tents. 


When kids showed interest, I pointed out the cards. I told them they could fold the other cards or use them as is. Here is some of what happened.








Many other things happened—tents over animals, animal corrals (with and without the tents/cards), and so forth. I was intrigued and pleased at the different kinds of building, thinking, and experimenting that went on. And I was reminded that a few simple resources can trigger lots of imagination and work. In the days ahead I'll try adding other simple materials and watch what happens to my group of engineers and architects.