Last week I received new school supplies for the classroom. As I unpacked the box, I was ecstatic about the things that were inside the box and the children seemed to be more happy about the actual box. I continued to take the supplies out and tried to explain what each item was, they still did not appear to be too happy. Once I completed removal of the supplies, I placed the box in the block area. The children raced to the back carpet and no one wanted to go to any of the other centers. I thought long and hard this weekend about a new study unit and then it hit me, why not discuss boxes. Boxes are functional and full of play possibilities. Boxes are open-ended. Children like to put things in them and dump things out. They like to make special play spaces in boxes; they make spaceships one day and castles or caves the next. Gifts often arrive in boxes. Boxes contain the food people eat. Children also see adults using boxes regularly. They see people delivering boxes, opening boxes, and packing and stacking boxes. They see people in trucks picking up boxes and carrying them away.
This study will show how to use children's interest in boxes to explore important social studies and science concepts and use skills in literacy, math, technology, and the arts. I have included test items immediately following each ojective to suport the learning outcomes.
Upon completion of the unit, the Pre-K students will be able
to:
1. Describe at least two physical properties of boxes: weight, size, shape,
color, or texture.
Test Item: Provide a collection of differently shaped
boxes. Ask questions like, what shapes do you see on these boxes (shape), which
box is heavier/lighter (weight), which box is big/small (size), what colors are
the boxes (color)and does the box feel bumpy or smooth (texture)? Write down
answers.
2. Line up boxes from smallest to largest.
Test Item: Provide a collection of different sized
boxes, making sure that no two boxes are the same size. Place a long piece of
tape on the left side of floor and a very small piece of tape on the right. Ask
the child to place the boxes in order from smallest to largest or largest to
smallest. Take pictures.
3. Sort between recyclables and non-recyclables.
Test Item: Provide two bins. Put a recycling sticker
on one and leave the other blank. Supply an equal number of items that are
recyclable and those that are not recyclable. Instruct child to sort the
recyclable and the non-recyclables. Take pictures or check off checklist.
Essay Item: Instruct the students to; Look at the
boxes on the table. Use the paper and writing utensil to draw a picture of what
you see. Tell me three things you see or know about the boxes.
***Because these learning outcomes are specific to
pre-kindergarteners, I will write their answer to the essay questions.
***Picture borrowed from shelterness.com***
