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What is a decoration?

Line of Inquiry: similarities and differences in ideas about what a decoration is.

T This week we explored what a decoration is to each of us. On Wednesday, the children created table decorations. Prior to group time, I let the children know that we would be making table decorations to display at lunch. I asked the children to think about what materials would be needed. Adyson suggested we look for leaves and sticks in the forest to use. All the children agreed that was a great idea. Leaves, twigs, and rocks were collected. To complete the decoration, the children made paper candles to place in the centre.

On Thursday, we used the Smart Board to create a Venn Diagram to sort items into categories: "decoration" and "not a decoration". The children had different perspectives as to what items are considered a decoration. Sorting the items into the categories helped the children to see that what is a decoration to one may not be to another. We completed group time by decorating Christmas trees on paper and the Smart Board as requested by the children. The festive season is beginning.
Our Venn diagram results












Comments

  1. KateDecember 8, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    What a great group of activities to do with the children and these, as far as I have been able to see over the weeks, are completely inspired by the children's developing understanding and questions around decorations as part of their lives. It was also wonderful to see you use the Smartboard in a way that allowed them to manipulate items and then rethink their ideas alone and collectively. I can't wait until you use the recorder (I'll be trying to get a good one soon) so that each child's thinking can be recorded and added to the electronic portfolios' we're developing. Thanks Deb. Lovely work.

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