Out of the six groups, four built castles.
As each new group entered, I said, "Before you build, talk together about what you will make as a group." For the groups that built a castle, it was the first idea shouted out by a child. Two of the groups built their castle in just a few minutes and then began playing with it, using small cylinders as people. The castles had slides and pools and stairs and rooms - they were well planned. I had not heard so many "I have an idea!!" moments in such a short span of time in a while.
And I'm also noticing the pictures now. In our journals, at the writing table...
"It has so many rooms!" - Je
And, as to be expected, we're writing about castles. Tales of princes and princesses who marry each other and move into a castle are the subject of at least one book written in the classroom each day.
The girls are interested...the boys are interested...
Love the idea of having the kids plan their work. I get so excited when teachers give children the opportunity to work in this intentional way.
ReplyDeleteSounds like there are lots of princes and princess creating some beautiful works of art!
ReplyDeleteAlli, the post by John is actually me. I didn't realize my husband was signed in--sorry about that. Trish
ReplyDeleteMy classroom, also, is in love with building blocks. We have tried two provocations with amazing success:one, a wall of "inspirational photos", al of famous, beautiful (or both) architecture (and we saw an influx of taj mahals, empire state buildings, and the like. . .); two, I hung up a "cloud" from the ceiling, and the buildings instantly became skyscrapers. It is so interesting how the smallest thing can dramatically affect the work children are engaging in.
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