Borrowed Workbench

I've mentioned before the benefit of working for a school district, 

especially one that has a resource centre.

I borrow from the centre often.

It saves money - I don't have to buy it.

I send it back on it's due date which means I don't have to store it.

This month I borrowed the workbench.

The children have showed interest in hammering,

every time I put out golf tees and hammers it is a busy place.

I've been waiting for this kit for half the year.

On one hand it was frustrating waiting

but on the other it's exciting to know that it is being so well used by other teachers.

The children were excited to see it 

and started right to work.

 Only one rule: you must wear safety goggles.

 Some children were more interested in playing with the toys.

This gave us opportunities to talk about real tools and toys.

What each can and cannot do.

Where our creativity and imagination can lead us.

 Hands on, real life math happening.

 We added pencils and paper to the work bench.

For a few parents it took a lot of courage (on their part) to let their child 

use real tools.

 Most were quite happy to lend a hand when needed.

 Trial and error.

What works and what doesn't let's a child figure out how

to achieve what they want.

 Sharing work space safely.

The workbench will remain for a couple more

weeks.

Play Trays week 18 & 19

 Tray #1

 Scouring pads cut in to butterfly shapes

and coloured pom poms.

We talked about symmetry,

if one wing has this colour then the other wing

would match.

 Tray #2

 A metal can with stickers on the outside.

Matching stickers were mounted on cork then a magnet attached.

These are kept in the can.

They take out the magnets and find the matching animal on the outside.

This can is about farm animals.

I've also have one for emotions.

I find that toddlers especially love this activity because the stickers

are chunky and easy to hold

and the can has a handle and they love to carry it around.

 Tray #3

I saw a similar idea at Rockabyebutterfly

 I covered a piece of styrofoam with cardboard

then pushed golf tees in to it.

Provide marbles, we used large ones.

Great for working pincher grip,

eye to hand coordination,

counting,

first and last,

and so on.

 Tray #4

A bug viewer, little plastic coloured butterflies

with pictures to match.

 I glued the matching pictures to the bottom of each section of the bug viewer.

The children then sorted the butterflies by colour

using the tweezers to pick them up.

 Tray #5

Little metal tools with their silhouettes.

I photocopied the tools then placed them together

for sorting and matching.

 Finally Tray #6

The favourite and has been out for two weeks.

I saw this idea over at Alljoinin.

She even included the pictures to print out.

But we discovered once playing with it that there were two many strawberries 

and not enough oranges.

An impromptu problem solving happen which was great.

The families loved it.

They can read the book and feed the hungry caterpillar.

Turn the caterpillar around to see the cocoon then 

open it up to take out the butterfly.