Friday, April 15, 2022

Jet Packs!

Last week, children explored the idea of jet packs for the shiny things guardian.  Yesterday, Elle, Marley and Lochie were invited to use the pictures of jetpacks they drew last week as inspiration for making a “real” jetpack for the shiny guardian. The first thing they did was look at the collected materials and decide what the pieces could be.           Lochie: This rope could be buckles to hold onto the jetpack.
   Marley: (Thinking about the different types of jetpacks) There’s no water here, so it has to be the flying jetpack.
As children assessed the materials, they initially disliked the materials for wings. 
    Marley: This (shiny material) is too skinny.
    Lochie: This one is too fat. Wait. If we cut it in half, it makes two wings.
    Jordan: If we split this in half, do you think they would be the right size?
    Marley: Yea!
   Lochie: (Looking at the gas tank in the picture of the jetpack) We need tubes. They go straight and then curve and go into the jet.
    Marley: Maybe we need this paper because it's shiny and this is for the shiny guardian.
    Elle: And these (stickers) could be for the buttons.
    Marley: These are thing wings. Elle, do you want to help me?
    Elle: Sure. These can be crystal and these can be buttons (pointing to shiny materials).

​CC joins and looks at the progress. She does not like the materials.     
   C.C.: Nope. It needs more metals parts.
   Jordan: Do you see anything that would fit the idea you have?
   C.C.: No.
   Jordan: That’s ok. How about if we look in the Tucker closet and find something closer to what you were imagining.
   C.C.: Ok (CC collects hinges, bolts, and other small metal objects) This is perfect.
   C.C. spends time creating a base for the jetpack with found metal pieces and wire.

Today children worked to attach things to the jet pack wings that couldn't be attached with wire.  There was a special focus on the tubes which were a part of Lochie's drawing. 
   Marley: These are the tubes. I’m going to add some buttons.
   Lochie: These can the the tubes where the fire comes out.
Violet joins.
   Marley: Good job, Violet. Me and Voiolet need to put a few more on. Violet, you can go first.
   Lochie: This part is where the fuel comes.

Continued work on the Constellation Guardian 

Children have continued their work on the constellations guardian's body.  As they work , they put into practice a techniques that they learned while working on the constellations themselves: no- touch wire.  Instead of merely stringing beads and found objects on wire, children incorporate a twist or loop in the wire between items in order to space them out.
​   Reed: I went through it here and it did not touch.  It's very close, but it did not touch.  

Portfolio Guardian Progress

The crew working on the portfolio guardian had previously wrapped tubes in wire to form legs.  Today, they collaborated to attach the legs to the body with more wire.  Nora started the process and explained it to Audrey as she joined in.
   Nora :We have to make the legs more stable.
   Audrey: But not too stable, because if they wobble, he can walk.  (She moves the legs to demonstrate.)
After attaching the legs...
   Nora: But what about his feet?
   Jill: That's a good question.  We want him to be able to stand up.  
   Audrey: Maybe stick his legs in jars (to add stability).
   Lochie: Maybe clay shoes.  
   Nora: Maybe liquid metal.  Or maybe make glass shoes.    
A bit later...
   Nora: What about the belly button?
While there is some disagreement, some children thing that the fastener from the portfolio folder would be a good belly button. 

This and that....

Last week, the group decided that that guardian's body could be filled with reduced copies of portfolio elements.  some children selected some of their favorite pieces of work last week and Audrey, Lochie, and Nora made some additions today.  

The children continue to be enthusiastic about making messages for the incoming children as well as their friends.  At this point, Pierce  is a popular recipient of messages!  We also had a wonderful time playing games.  Enjoy these images and have a wonderful, long weekend!