“Can I help?”
“Here, hold this.”
“We need instructions.”
“I can draw instructions. My mom is a designer.”
“I’m good at this. Here, let’s do it like this.”
I hung out close by and acted as their guide.
“We need a screw driver thing.” I quietly handed them a hammer.
“We need wood.” A box of wood scraps appeared.
“How can we make a door? Maybe with cardboard!” I went and got a collection of cardboard boxes.
They built, readjusted, talked and talked and talked.
I was suspended in the moment as I witnessed creativity, collaboration, leadership, analytical thinking and so much more from the “simple” activity of playing with loose metal parts. I have a maker space in our classroom and a wide range of found materials for students to use. When I take the time to listen and be a guide, I am always astounded by where the students can take us with their curiosity and self-instigated learning.
Stephanie Bartlett (@sj_bartlett) teaches Kindergarten @Mme_Stephanie FI at Chinook Park. Passionate about teaching a curriculum driven by creativity (creativitycollective.ca) & storytelling.