February 25th, 2021

A Shared Exploration

This month, the Rainey A and Rainey B teachers wanted to introduce a shared exploration between the classrooms. While we continue to enjoy our Friday fun days, we as a team wanted to do some more collaborative work to prepare them for a shared Tucker year next year. After some discussion, we decided we would introduce paper mache as it was something neither class had explored before AND aligned with a larger school interest in paper as a material. While we planned to begin this last week, the snow ruined our plans, so we began today.

Before the paper mache process, one has to create a sculpture as the base. Using cardboard materials and tape, the two rooms created designs as they sat parallel to each other.

​I’m making the sea, Brigitte! Now I’m going to tape these onto here - Elle
I’m building a treehouse with this (points to egg carton)- Lochie 
Mine is a tower- George 
This is the bottom, where the creatures hide - Elle 

We are building a castle, my piece that I builded is this, but now I'm connecting it to there - Sylvie
I have this piece, but I don't know where it can go, Oh! right there! - Lucia 
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As the exploration continued, both groups took time to assess and modify the materials they were using. 

Can you cut this? I want it to be small. Ugh, it’s not working- Jack 
Sylvie, use this tape. It's much stronger.  - Janie
Is it strong enough? - sylvie
Can you cut this? I want it to be small- Jack 
Can you use this (a paper roll)? - Violet

In the end, both groups decided to merge individual projects into larger structures. Rainey A created a treehouse and Rainey B built a castle, later turned house by the sea. 

This is going to be a tallllll building - George 
Hey! It looks like the treehouse has wings! - Lochie 
Oh! It looks like a window! - CC

I want to live in this house - Audrey
These are the water. This is a palm tree. These are slides and this is a door - Janie

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We also took time to enjoy and discuss each other’s creations!
 
I like the ladder they made - Sylvie
I like the ladder and the roof and the door. They are beautiful - Janie
It's really really strong - Sylvie
I think this (part) is CC's- Lucia
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Ooooh, it’s like a snow castle! - Elle
You should shake it. That’s how you can tell if it’s strong- Lochie
Wow, I like it- Marley

In the coming weeks, we will spend time paper macheing and then painting our creations. We can’t wait to share them when they’re done!