Duct Tape Challenge continued
Here is an update on the Duct Tape Challenge that has occurred in our Kindergarten classroom.
One discovery I had was the students struggled to go from their plans to their actual 3 D creations. Many students
created 2D objects that reflected their plans. I redid the activity without the planning page and added some instruction
on how to make a few objects and their creations changed to 3D. Here are some collages that outline our Duct Tape Challenge days.
I wish I could show you the pride in these students’ faces as they marched around the room with their
duct tape barrette.
It was a learning opportunity for both myself and the students. I was able to learn more about them as problem solvers and planners. I understand my next steps are to work more with three dimensional materials and to demonstrate and provide more opportunities for planning and creating in the classroom. This project also reconfirmed my beliefs that we do not have to have students follow someone else’s procedure to create art work. Students need the opportunities for trial and error. We don’t need 30 items that all look the same. Teachers need to provide open ended activities and materials that enable children to plan and problem solve.
I’ve also outlined this project for parents at my class blog mrsharrisonK.wordpress.com
What do you do to help students with three dimensional creations?
March 13th, 2013 at 11:19 am
Angie, thanks for the great post! I really enjoyed doing the Duct Tape Challenge with my older students, and it’s great to see how it worked with your younger students.
Your question about 3-D creations really has me thinking. Maybe instead of creating a 2-D plan, students need to create a 3-D one and then transfer it to another medium (i.e., duct tape). I wonder if students would have more success, if instead of drawing their plan, they first made it out of playdough or blocks, then took a picture of it, and then made it out of duct tape. I’m not sure if this would work, but maybe consulting a 3-D plan instead of a 2-D drawing would help. What do you think?
Aviva
http://www.weinspirefutures.com
March 13th, 2013 at 11:26 am
I’ve been thinking about the planning process too. I did do the task again, this time without a plan and some students did better. However, some still made 2 D objects. I’m now wondering if these students developmentally can create 3 D objects from 2D materials. Yes, they can build objects with blocks that are 3D but the DECE and I watched the students over the next few weeks. We discovered that these same students roll the play dough flat and don’t create 3 D objects from play dough or from art materials either. So it’s becomes a focus for our art instruction. We are also really thinking about the materials we provide in the room.
I would love to hear more suggestions on how to help young learners understand 3D creations.
Angie