Friday, September 24, 2021

Building BIG!

  Last week, Giacomo led his classmates in making a large, stable, and strong building in the middle room.  We brought the blocks into the classroom on Thursday to see if we could make something equally strong in the bigger space. Here's some of what happened:
Giacomo begins builds with blocks horizontally, then adds a layer on top going vertically. 
    “This thing can already hold me. Even all my strength. Even my tummy.” - Giacomo
The group builds vertically with long, thin blocks. There is concern about structural stability.
   “Is this wall strong?” - Jordan
   “No, its wobbly.” - Giacomo
   “If we keep building, it will fall.” - Lochie
The wall collapses and a new wall is made with blocks on the side to act as supports .  Giacomo makes a T-shaped building.
    “I used 2 blocks first and then 4 and then put one (heavier block) on top - Giacomo
    “How did that help?” - Jordan
    “The weight on the top made it sturdier” - Giacomo
    “The weight on the sides makes it stronger.” - Lochie

Finding Common Ground in Creation
Lochie, Jack and Elle are building together but they have not vocalized their individual ideas. Elle wants to add slides to the structure but Lochie is more focused on building up the walls.
   “I made this (slide) for the next floor.” - Elle
    “But it doesn’t fit” - Lochie
The slide is not secure and falls off, along with part of the wall. Elle and Lochie both seem to feel mildly frustrated.
   “I’m building a slide and place so they don’t get hurt” - Elle
    “Lochie, did you tell Elle what your plan was before you started?” - Jordan
    “I didn’t know” - Elle
    “So, I want to make the walls bigger so it stands up.” - Lochie
    “I have an in idea but you might not like it.” - Elle
Elle adds a block without support which falls off.
    “Nope, not stable.” - Elle
Lochie shows Elle his idea and how she can add to the work
   “We need to make these (supports) and then it will work” - Lochie
   “Oh ok. I understand” -Elle

Creating A Bigger Structure
Jack, Lochie and Giacomo decide to connect their buildings.
    “We could add to each other.” - Jack
    “We could put our ideas together.” - Lochie
    “What if we used Jack’s build to connect our buildings together and build on top to be the strongest?” - Giacomo
    “Yes, I agree with you. I’ll move over.” - Jack
    “Why don’t we knock down our buildings to make a bigger building?” - Giacomo
    “Before you take them down, we need to take pictures in order to remember them.” - Lochie
Lochie uses a camera to take pictures of their work before disassembling it.
The group begins another building but there is a disagreement on how to build the base.
    “They won’t listen to me.” - Giacomo
     "Have you told them your idea?” - Jordan
     “No.” - Giacomo
 By the end of the afternoon, children understood the importance of collaboration and communication.  We will have other afternoons to explore these important concepts.
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Some of Lochie's photos...

Working with Watercolors

In the studio on Thursday, children used watercolors on paper that had been divided into sections with tape.   When the tape is removed, it provides sharp contrast to the colors that children have selected, as well as a chance to think about negative space.   As children were encouraged to use one color in each space, it was also an example of one-to-one correspondence.  Here's some of the thoughts they shared as they worked:
    George - Hey, look what I'm doing!  I'm putting one color in every space!  (George's enthusiasm continued, as he went on to create on two additional "design" pages.)
    Sylvie - Yellow is my 1st favorite color.  Yellow and blue and pink.
    C.C. - I want to do bright yellow like Sylvie.  (A little later). Look at the dots!  it looks like space!
    Reed - I'm thinking of patterns.  And colors.

               Peeling the tape:
               Reed - Mine definitely looks like a maze.
​               George - Mine looks like the sun.

A Fun Friday
​Field Trip

It was a beautiful day for a walk!  After lunch our Tucker crew headed to the Koi Pond on the Georgetown University campus.  Children responded to the area in various ways.  Children drew, painted, climbed trees, launched leaves and sticks down the waterfall, and generally enjoyed being together.   It was a great end to a fantastic week.  Thank you, Molly and Audrey for walking with us!

Enjoy these images and have a wonderful weekend!