Flora was introducing the bricks as a support in the building space of the East Wing.
Lev: “Why are the bricks red?”
Flora, seeing an opportunity to involve parents replied: “I don’t know that answer, but I wonder if your parents would?”
Jonah shared with Flora the next day, that Lev followed up with his question and together, Lev and Jonah contacted Papa Helms, Lev’s grandfather. He knows a lot about making bricks and emailed some information. He promised to come to Lev’s school during an upcoming trip to assist in making some bricks. Here are the sites Papa Helms forwarded to us:
Paola, in preparation for Baba Lynn and Papa Helms (Lev’s grandparents) visit, took a group of children on a walk to gather some materials with Adriana.
Bryce K.: “I can feel the leaves crunching under my shoes.”
Genevieve: “Oooh look at this one! It has dots. Polka dots. Polka dotty leaves.”
They gathered back in the school to take a closer look at the materials.
“You see little read polka dots when you put the light on.” -Lola
“If you want to see the red, look inside these holes. You put it on top like this.” – Felix
“That was a great walk.” – Lev
On the day of the visit, the group gathered at the mud pit.
Papa Helms and Baba Lynn assist in brick making.
Papa Helms: “We’re going to mix it right here and put some water-”
Lola: “I can help put some water in it!”
Chase: “We put water, roots, string, leaves and sand.”
Lev: “It’s a special way to make bricks.”
Baba Lynn: “What happens if you don’t smooth the top of the brick?”
Chase: “It will be bumpy bumpy bumpy.”
Miles: “I’m making it flat.”
The bricks are now drying outside and there is great interest in making more. Thank you to the Newhall family for getting your hands dirty with us and adding so much to our knowledge of bricks! We wonder, what color these will be when they dry….
