Everything Castles!

Date: 24/10/11

On my second day of prac I was informed that the children were really interested in castles. The teachers were making a large castle using the plastic play equipment and the children helped stick cardboard walls to the equipment.

At around 10am three boys Taj, Kai and Kobe came up to me and asked if they could make a sheild. I asked the boys what a shield looks like?
Taj: "A sheild looks like a circle shape"
Me: "Ok! Well lets try and find something to use so we can cut one out"

I found some cardboard in the store room and a bucket lid I thought they could use for the shape. I helped the boys trace around the bucket lid to make a circle shape, they did this all by themselves and then cut the circles out by themselves too. I then helped them make a handle for the back using the stapler to staple another bit of cardboard on. Monique (teacher) got the boys some decorating materials including paint, glitter and sequins.

Not long after the boys sheilds started coming together, more children came along and wanted to make one too. Soon most of the class were making sheilds for their castle.

Reggio Emilia:
This was a great experience and shows the beginning of a long term project. The Reggio Emilia approach sees long term projects as important vehicles for learning. Projects also allow children to engage in a transformative process building upon exsisting ideas and cognitive schemas.