8 first graders learn that a box isn't always a box
Reduce Reuse Recycle! When a new chair was delivered to our library, it came in a big box that just happened to be large enough for a first grader or two to fit inside. Rather than discard the box, the first graders decided to reuse the box by turning it into a little house.
One of the first grade reading groups worked on reading and recording the beginning, middle and end of various versions of The Three Little Pigs. We predicted the characters that would be found in different versions based on the setting of a particular story. Also, we looked at character traits, based on the point of view of the storyteller.
Then the library received a new chair; it arrived in a large cardboard box. This presented the perfect opportunity to build a house, as the pigs did, with the materials in our environment. As we were also studying reducing, reusing and recycling, it gave us an opportunity to reuse the box for another purpose.
There were a number of decisions to make and a chore rotation to implement during our house construction phase. This required us to listen to various points of view, compromise and work cooperatively.
We decided to put in “sky lights” and “solar panels” on our roof for our energy needs. They are made of reused laminating film ends. We also have tissue paper flowers growing in a flower box to provide “oxygen”.
Now that our construction is complete, our house is a favorite place for silent or partner reading.
Then the library received a new chair; it arrived in a large cardboard box. This presented the perfect opportunity to build a house, as the pigs did, with the materials in our environment. As we were also studying reducing, reusing and recycling, it gave us an opportunity to reuse the box for another purpose.
There were a number of decisions to make and a chore rotation to implement during our house construction phase. This required us to listen to various points of view, compromise and work cooperatively.
We decided to put in “sky lights” and “solar panels” on our roof for our energy needs. They are made of reused laminating film ends. We also have tissue paper flowers growing in a flower box to provide “oxygen”.
Now that our construction is complete, our house is a favorite place for silent or partner reading.