Shelters
Ffocysau Pellach: Cynhwysol, Cyflawniad Bechgyn,
How was it used?
A resource used as part of the entry point for the International Primary Curriculum theme of ‘structures’ for a year 2 class.
Although it is in Design Technology for Key Stage 2, it was used with a Year 2 class who are embracing the Foundation Phase ethos and using a cross curricular approach to learning. The resource was used to develop children’s thinking in relation to shelters and structures and the questions throughout the resource allowed the children to gather information about different shelters through observation and discussion. The internet allowed the children to research further and a visit from a practising civil enginer allowed the children to make links in their learning between what they had discovered from the resource and through practical exploration and the application of this knowledge to real-life situations and the world of work.
The children became actively engaged and were encouraged to think, question and explore. Group talk and collaboration was encouraged and the teacher acted as a facilitator for the children’s learning.
Impact and Outcomes
The children were thoroughly motivated by the theme and this resource allowed them to focus clearly on specific structures and explore similarities and differences between them through observation and questioning.
The problem solving practical nature of the entry point task was motivating for all and learning was extended by the adults in the teaching area asking challenging questions at appropriate moments. Throughout the activity the children were using the resources to generate and develop their ideas in imaginative and creative ways. The collaborative nature of the work allowed the children to develop and combine ideas to explore new possibilities.
The investigating and exploring activity particularly appealed to the boys in the class and although the girls were equally able, the increased motivation of some of the boys in the class was notable.
The theme was inclusive. Some of the children who need support with literacy or numeracy tasks found the practical kinaesthetic aspect of the work suited their learning style.
Learner Feedback
The learners wanted to return to the resource to look at the way different structures were built and use this in developing their own ideas further when using the construction kits provided as continuous provision.
Other resources
- a variety of imaginative building materials including:-
- playing cards
- spaghetti and marshmallows
- straws and blu tack
- variety of construction kits of differing sizes both indoors and outside
- A visit from a civil engineer
Lesson Learnt
This resource was used to support the wider introduction of the theme ‘Structures’ and was effective for that purpose.
The visit from a civil engineer, who brought with him the measuring equipment he used and his maps and plans, really brought the learing to life for the children and allowed them to see learning as purposeful.