This was a project done by a grade 1/2 class with technical assistance from members of the “Adding Colours to the Crayon Box” initiative. The project had a few stages – the first was to get used to the idea of building a model set and visiting it. The next was to use a familiar text as the source of story idea and build scenes from it. The final stage was more refined and focused on a text the students were reading in their classroom as part of a larger unit of study.
Community Field Trip Model
The project began as a community mapping activity using ScratchJr. The students thought about places they would like to go on a field trip, and then mapped their trip using ScratchJr. They could choose real or imaginary places, although it was suggested that they start with somewhere real and within reason to attend in their local community. The ScratchJr programs were shared on the big screen in a viewing session, with discussion encouraged.
The next part of this project was to build their field trip locations in the school maker-space room , using whatever materials were available. These labelled “sets” were placed along “roads” and then a celebration followed. Students narrated guided visits using a variety of “robotic buggies” controlled by the students but programmed by “Adding Colours to the Crayon Box ” kids.
“Olivia” Model
The next phase was to use a familiar book and create characters and scenes from it. We used “Olivia” by Ian Falconer and built scenes on 16″ X 16″ plywood bases with signs indicating what the scene was about. We added lights to them (they had been pre-programmed) and just needed placement by the young students. The story was then told in sequence as it happened in the book. The characters could ride in the buggies, as they were created as popsicle stick puppets.
“Adventures of Beekle” Model
The final stage was to use the scenes from a book being read as part of a larger unit of study about emotions. The book this time is called ” The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend “, by Dan Santat.
Ten settings were chosen to best represent the flow of the story. Students were paired up and built their scenes, using school and home materials, on the plywood bases. This base constrained the size (16″ X 16″) and allowed for easy movement and safe storage of the set. Their task was to be able to present their part of the story at a culminating celebration. Again, kids from the “Adding Colours to the Crayon Box ” initiative came and helped them add lights, motors, and pumps to their sets, depending on what they wanted. For example, one set was of a playground and the students wanted a waterslide. This was built using a pump controlled by the micro:bit.
