“Let’s build an airport, we need wire.” Rocco
“What would you like wire for?” Teacher Cindy
“Electricity.” Rocco
Kian places black tubes under the platform. “These are the pipes.”
Recognizing some knowledge of construction, Cindy asks the group if there are pipes and electricity in this building.
“Nope.” They answer, looking around and not seeing any. Just then a friend exits the block area bathroom and the sink water and toilet are echoing in the conversation.
“Oh, the pipes are underground. They are for the water!” Kian concludes with a leap of practical knowledge, applying his theories to what he can’t see.
Rocco and Kian continue to build.
“Let’s build the control tower”. Kian
“Here is the runway like at LAX”. Rocco
Lucy and Sadie are building close by. They move closer to the airport to observe the progress.
“We need wire. When can we get wire?” Rocco
Cindy gathers the group and as a team they collect wire from the West Wing Studio.
Back at the building space Cindy Asks, “How will you add the wire?”
“Telephone Polls.” Rocco shows an understanding of electricity’s connection outside the building.
Together the four children work in collaboration, taking turns adding electricity to the airport. The teachers are engaged in how much construction knowledge these children have and wonder, what further construction knowledge will be exhibited in the block area and what materials will facilitate the expression of these ideas.