Activity Plan: Building Ideas

 Materials:

• varying sizes of fabric scraps
• varying sizes of fabric scraps
• small twigs or branches
• rocks and shells
• yarn or string
• animal and human figures, sheets of foil, cellophane paper, and wallpaper samples
• child safety scissors
• tape  
• camera and film

Objective: Children will develop creative-- thinking and socialization skills as they work together to explore how different types of materials can be incorporated into block building.

ACTIVITY

1. Invite children to work in small groups in the block building area to explore how different materials can be incorporated into their constructions. Explain that each group will have different materials to use. They will work together to share and develop their ideas. Vary the materials between the groups.
2. Encourage children to spend time exploring the materials, discussing how they can be used and planning their constructions together Provide adequate time for planning and construction. Offer assistance if needed.
3. Photograph each group to document the project. Take photographs during the planning and the building, photographing each group with their completed construction.
4. Invite the class to see each group's finished construction. Encourage children to talk about their constructions. Ask them to describe how they developed their ideas. Did they have to change their ideas as they were building? Did they encounter any difficulties while they were building? Invite their classmates to ask questions.
5. Place a photograph of the completed construction in a pocket chart for the children to look at during group time. Engage them in a discussion about their buildings. Record their observations about similarities and differences on chart paper. Place the materials in the block area so that the children can continue their construction explorations.

Curriculum Connection: LITERACY

Writing About Our Work. Provide each group with the photographs, paper, glue, and writing materials to make a book, documenting the stages of their construction. Ask them to glue a photograph onto a sheet of paper in sequential order leaving enough space to record information about each picture. Assist them in writing about their project. Ask each group to present their book to the class. Place the books in the block building area along with other books about buildings, environments, and transportation.

BOOKS

Henry Builds a Cabin by D.B. Johnson

The Story of the White House by Kate Waters

Tonka, Building the Skyscraper by Justine Korman