While working with dowels, armature wire, pliers and wire cutters, Aiden noticed that one of the coils he formed looked like the number nine.
Aiden: This way it is a six but then if you turn it, it looks like a nine. I think it looks more like a nine.
This inspired the idea of cutting and bending the shapes of the numbers one through ten. Aiden’s work caught the attention of Cooper.Cooper: I can support you with the numbers.
Aiden: We only need two more numbers.
Teacher Jess: What numbers?
Aiden: Four and a five and then we’re done.
Cooper: I can make the five. (He begins bending the wire around the shape of the number drawn on a piece of paper.)
In addition to providing opportunities to collaborate, small groups offer chances to share knowledge and build relationships with new tools, materials, and most importantly, peers. The structured work in the Atelier provided the space for Cooper and Aiden to get to know and support one another as they worked toward a common goal. This new partnership then successfully navigated the transition from structured work to free-play in the Sand Area.
