When children begin to expand their knowledge of the multiple materials available and they move from the exploration stage to the implementation process of representing their ideas, the teachers wonder how they will apply what they’ve learned to their current interests.
Currently, small groups have been looking at circuits, testing the electric flow through batteries using LED lights and small motors. This morning, a group of East Wing children was particularly interested in the LED lights. They spent time testing a variety of colors.
Teacher Cindy: How could we use the lights in our community?
Madeleine: We can take a long string and attach the lights to make a rainbow light.
Recalling that the group had noticed that dark places make the lights “glow” better, Cindy asked the group to consider that element when thinking about possibilities.
Mila: In the Story Theater!
Each child selected an LED light and coin battery and went into the darkness of the Paper Exploration area. Once they entered, they began to incorporate the nearby paper materials to test each color of the spectrum.
Madeleine, rolling paper tubes: Look! They’re like lanterns.
Aiden: We can make a string of lanterns.
Noticing the paper collapsing, I offered a collection of plastic bottles that might support their ideas in a sturdier way. The group cut paper to fit the bottles and an LED of each color of the rainbow was placed in each bottle. The group discussed the order and Mila referenced a nearby book.
Mila: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. But we want pink.
Teacher Cindy: Where will pink go?
Mila: It can go after purple.
Madeleine: Yes, after purple.
The group wants to surprise their peers with a string of lights for the Story Theater and are meeting each Tuesday morning to work out the details. In thinking of our next steps, I’m considering shifting from coin batteries to a power source that offers an on/off option as well as the ability to add a longer wire to span the distance between each lantern and from the first lantern to the switch. Their further plans are to add string and hang the rainbow of lights in the Story Theater for an unveiling. -Teacher Cindy