Yesterday our classroom was closed except for the back part of the room where a papier maché “cave” was being built. A parent supplied the metal mesh shell that looked like a big dog house, but it was slowly going to be transformed into a hideout that could probably accommodate 2 children. At first I thought the project was a bit ambitious because--judging from the progress the team of 4 made in the half hour I observed—it was going to take several days to complete. (I was in the “immediate gratification” mode of thinking.) I was also thinking there wasn’t much creativity involved in pasting strips of paper onto wire mesh.
But now today as I’m looking at some pictures I took of the project in progress, I saw the potential of this being a very enriching educational experience for the children—much like a Montessori or Reggio E. type of on-going project that would involve and foster many areas of cognitive and psycho/social development: The children are learning to work cooperatively while learning how to “create something from “raw” materials” (text, p. 273). Other benefits of interacting with these particular art materials, as described by (Deiner, 2009, p. 673), are that they provide the opportunity to make decisions and problem solve: “How can I get this slippery piece of newspaper to stay where I want it?”
To extend, enhance or build on this project it would be fun to show pictures of all types of shelters and homes—animal and human--so the children can make the connection between the building of their “cave” and the shelter that they live in. Drawing and painting on the finished structure could be another way to enhance the child’s sense of competence by having his work (hopefully labeled) displayed on the walls of the cave.
Hi Jim,
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great idea for parents to get involved with their children's education first hand. It was a great idea for the teacher to think to do paper mache. This is an activity that captivates child's attention for many hours. They are using a variety of skills doing this activity.
Hello Jim!
ReplyDeleteI think this is such a great idea! I really wish that there was more parent involvement in the classroom that I observe in. I mean there is a parent that comes and reads a story to the once in a while but never have I seen a parent bring in something that would be a project to last most that twenty minutes to complete. This cave sounds like a great idea because it teaches them spatial awareness and promote other skills like you mentioned. I think it is important to make sure that every child in the class is given an opportunity to participate in the project so that at the end every child can feel happy to know they took part in completing the project.