The Perfect Square

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've discovered a new favorite author - Michael Hall. He's written some really good books using shapes for the story and art. This one, The Perfect Square, inspired an art project.

The book is all about a perfect square that's perfectly happy the way he is. But each day of the week, something happens to him, and he has to adapt and make himself into something new. So on Monday, he's cut and poked full of holes, so he turns into a burbling fountain. On Friday, he's ripped and crumbled, so he turns himself into a majestic mountain, etc.

The kids keep bringing me this book to read, so I thought, why don't we try a perfect square craft?

I got out the scissors and glue, hole punch and construction paper. Then I brought out some old safari themed origami squares. The kids got to rip and shred and cut and poke them full of holes, and make their own perfect square scenes.

I find it's way more interactive when I get involved with making the same crafts they do. It opens up the chance for conversation about the activities, and increases the attention span and willingness to participate of the children, particularly the younger ones. So I re-created some of the scenes from the book.

I also kept the book handy on the table, so the children could flip through the pages for inspiration.

When it was finished, we had a fabulous display for our art wall!

Shape Theme

The boys have decided that blocks are all the rage recently. Combine that with a fabulous new book find (that post will come later), and you've got yourself a shape theme!

I forgot all about the math shape blocks I have in storage until I started planning this theme. I pulled them out to let the kids play, and it was very interesting to see the results. Some children built up, some designed out, and some relied fully on the tangram templates. These toys have no 'small' pieces, so even the toddlers got in on the fun.

I also pulled out my magnet center, which has come shape file folder games. I was surprised how focused the kids were for this activity.

And nothing celebrates shapes like a building challenge. For dramatic play, we pulled out the shape tent. The boys and I conversed on the type of shape they wanted to construct - they decided square with a triangle on top - and then got to work piecing the balls and rods together.

When it was finished, we draped it with sheets and they promptly pulled in the kitchen center and got to work 'cooking' in their new 'castle restaurant'.