If we are to inspire all children to read, then it is vital that we create as many opportunities as possible for them to find a 'way in' to reading. This means liberating our books from the book corner, and ensuring that our continuous provision is never without authentic, meaningful opportunities for the sharing of books and other texts. Enhancing continuous provision with both reading and writing materials will ensure that all children will have access to these important activities, in a context that is pleasurable.
Looking for books to inspire construction play could be considered a challenge. Wendel's Workshop by Chris Riddell (Macmillan) offers a rich seam of opportunities that would not only inspire a fascinating array of designs, but could also lead to many discussions about friendship, inclusion, individuality and respect. Wendel is an inventor - his intricate designs, drawn on graph paper, form the endpapers of the book. Sometimes his ideas are successful, at other times they are not!
This book tells the story of one of his less than perfect robots, called Clunk, who is thrown down the rubbish chute by Wendel, after creating some difficulties for his creator. However, really serious problems arise when the new, improved 'Wendelbot' develops a mind of his own, and throws out its creator. The ensuing plot to restore order will delight all children, and the story has a very satisfying conclusion.
The story is told with carefully chosen, powerful language, and the illustrations offer lots to look at - Chris Riddell packs his pictures full of interesting detail. Don't forget to look at the very last page of the book, where Wendel can be seen studying a new design. I wonder what it might be for?
OUTDOOR AREA
Create a place (or places) in the outdoor area where children can create a range of large-scale inventions, including, but not exclusively, robots. This collection might represent the scrap heap, as illustrated in the book, but this is not absolutely necessary.
Offer a range of resources that children can use for this purpose. For example, include milk crates, cable reels, rope, string, a range of cardboard tubes, natural materials, dust sheets, canes and broom handles.
Learning opportunities
PSED Co-operation and collaboration
C&L Talking for a variety of purposes
C&L Extending vocabulary
UW Building and constructing with a wide range of materials
M Using the language of position
M Using the language of mathematics for problem solving
Adult role
- Ensure that a rich variety of resources are available.
- Work alongside the children to create a variety of constructions.
- Avoid the tendency to use their play to test children. Instead, support their play with conversations about how the robots might behave, or how they might use their robot.
- Encourage risk-taking, so that those who want to build large-scale constructions are supported effectively. It is very inspiring to be able to build something that is bigger than you are!
- Take photos of the robots and display them inside, accompanied by the children's instructions on their use.
- Make sure that you photograph not only the finished products but also the entire robot-building process, to make the learning possibilities explicit to others and revisit the experience with the children.
SMALL-WORLD AREA
Create Wendel's Workshop in miniature. Offer a builder's tray (Tuff Spot) or similar container. Gather together a selection of materials that children can use to create the small world. Include a mouse figure and a selection of unusual and interesting objects for children to explore and build with. And include some play people so that the children can pretend that they are working with Wendel.
Work with the children to create a building that can represent Wendel's Workshop. Ensure that the children know that they can also access junk and found materials to add to the small world.
Learning opportunities
L Story making
M Problem solving
M Sorting and classifying
M Sequencing and ordering
M Counting
UW Exploring the properties of materials
EAD Responding in a variety of ways to what they see, think hear and feel
Adult role
The adult could add:
- clipboards, paper and pens for mark-making, making plans and diagrams and non-narrative writing (lists, instructions, etc)
- camera and video camera for capturing images from the small world to use for bookmaking and filming children's own narratives, to share with others
- musical instruments for creating sound effects for the small world and creating musical patterns inspired by the robots and the goings-on in the workshop
- laminated cards with related rhymes and songs for sharing together, reading and writing
Suggestions for songs to sing
To the tune of 'Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush':
This is the way an inventor works, an inventor works, an inventor works,
This is the way an inventor works, when he's busy with inventing ...
This is the way he draws a design, etc
This is the way he tightens the bolts, etc
To the tune of 'The Wheels on the Bus':
The eyes on the robot are glowing red, glowing red, glowing red, the eyes on the robot are glowing red, glowing red, etc
Wendel cried 'I need some help, need some help, need some help', etc
Consider also 'I'm a little robot' and 'I'm walking like a robot' from Bobby Shaftoe Clap Your Hands by Sue Nicoll (A&C Black)
Make sure that you encourage the children to add many verses of their own. These may be compiled into a book and illustrated with photographs or the children's drawings
SAND AREA
Provide: a large shallow sand tray, full of coloured sand; a selection of nuts and bolts; screws of varying sizes, and other items that may be used by an inventor.
You might wish to explain to the children that Wendel has got in a muddle and needs some help with sorting out his tiny pieces of equipment.
Learning opportunities
M Problem solving
M Counting
M Sorting and classifying
M Pattern making
Adult role
The adult could add:
- magnifying glasses for: using language such as 'circle' or 'bigger', to describe the shape and size of solids and flat shape; and using language such as 'greater', 'smaller', 'heavier' or 'lighter' to compare quantities
- a collection of lidded boxes for: saying and using number names in order in familiar contexts; counting reliably up to ten everyday objects; recognising numerals 1 to 9; and using developing mathematical ideas to solve practical problems
- a packet of Post-it notes and pens for: labelling the boxes for Wendel and writing for a variety of purposes.
CONSTRUCTION PLAY
Provide: a range of construction equipment; small-world figures; cardboard boxes; junk modelling materials; masking tape; items such as pipe cleaners, feathers and so on.
Learning opportunities
PD Developing motor skills
C&L Making stories
C&L Extending vocabulary
EAD Recreating roles and experiences
M Solving problems, measuring, estimating
Adult role
The adult could add:
- an 'Inventor's Journal' for: writing and drawing robot adventures that have been created in the construction area, and writing instruction books for their use
- a camera for: turn-taking and collaborating, and photographing the robots that have been created
- clipboards and drawing board for: mark-making and recording and drawing, designing, planning
- large sheets of paper, felt-tip pens and photo holders (the type with a crocodile clip) for: inventing robots and other machines, and making signs and labels.
GRAPHICS AREA
Provide various materials for children to make their own designs that they can take to the construction play area. Ensure that plenty of clipboards are available so the children can write in any area of the setting, and outside. And offer moveable letters and magnetic boards so the children can experiment with creating noisy words.
Spend some time with small groups experimenting with both real and invented 'robotspeak'. Try incorporating musical instruments so that the children can compose music for their robots.
Learning opportunities
PSED Co-operation and collaboration
C&L Talk for a variety of purposes
L Writing for a range of purposes
L Linking sounds to letters
Adult role
- Respond positively, valuing children's independent attempts at writing.
- Plan shared writing sessions based on children's ideas to demonstrate writing strategies and to develop an understanding of the relationship between spoken and written language.
- Provide a place for children to display their writing, such as an 'Inventor's Noticeboard'
- Ensure that the children know that they can take writing and mark-making materials outdoors.
BOOK AREA
- Obtain a selection of the books recommended in the 'Book Box' (see below).
- Display them as a collection that the children can readily access for themselves.
- Where possible, ensure that there are multiple copies of some of the most popular books to encourage the children to read books together.
- Plan to use the collection in read-aloud sessions, using non-fiction as well as fiction. Discuss the pictures, pick out some fascinating facts and let the children be experts and talk to you about what they already know.
- Add relevant comics and magazines to the book corner. Children may bring in some of these of their own accord. Make sure that you include such items as design periodicals.
- If possible, obtain a copy of Robot magazine. This is sure to engage the children's interest.
Adult role
- Make time to observe the children who use the book corner, and their reading preferences.
- Encourage the children to use the books in other areas of provision, including outdoors.
- Make sure that time is given to reading about robots and inventions online. Work with small groups of children to look for images and video clips of all kinds of robots.
RESOURCES BOX
Collecting resource boxes to reflect predictable early childhood interests ensures that practitioners are well-equipped to respond when children show a fascination for a particular topic. Such resource boxes can be added to as new items become available. To support children's interests in designing and building, have at the ready:
- a collection of special drawing pens (inventors do not usually draw up their designs with lead pencils)
- images of robots, technical drawings, photographs of unusual creations, and so on
- drawing boards - these can be created very cheaply from pieces of hardboard, with bulldog clips attached
- a selection of special papers, including graph paper (as used by Wendel)
- books, rhymes, songs and magazines (see page 20)
BOOK BOX
As well as making sure that children can get their hands on at least one copy of Wendel's Workshop (they are sure to want to return to it many times), offer a range of picture books by Chris Riddell and other books that are likely to inspire young designers.
The Emperor of Absurdia by Chris Riddell (Macmillan) has much to entertain Foundation Stage children, and could inspire some unusual constructions too. It's an entertaining story of dragon hunts and hairy wardrobe monsters, with rich and detailed illustrations. If possible, keep these books in your construction play area and make time to share them with small groups, as well as encouraging children to access them independently.
Other relevant titles include:
Harry and the Robots written by Ian Whybrow and illustrated by Adrian Reynolds (Picture Puffin) - This book, from the popular 'Harry and The Dinosaur' series, sees Harry creating robots to blast his Nan's cough away, and is packed full of inspiration for robot-building.
Changes, Changes by Pat Hutchins (Aladdin Picture Books) - In this story, two inhabitants of a weather house work hard to overcome a series of disasters by constantly rebuilding their environment. A terrific book for the block play area, the story is told without words, so it provides an excellent focus for developing speaking and listening skills.
Me and My Mammoth by Joel Stewart (Macmillan) - This is another story about an enthusiastic model maker. This time it is a little boy, who loves to make things that never turn out quite right. However, he always turns this to his advantage, and as a result has some incredible adventures.
Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty (Harry N Abrams Inc) - This is an inspiring tale of a small boy who has been building a wide variety of structures since he was two. Building, however, is not much valued at school, and it is not until Iggy saves his class from catastrophe that his teacher comes to give his talents the recognition that they truly deserve.
Roberto, The Insect Architect by Nina Laden (Chronicle Books) - This time our hero is a termite. He creates simply amazing structures, to win the admiration of those around him. This book has modern illustrations with lots of fascinating detail.
