Last week I introduced pulleys to the children and this week I used related objects to create connections in learning.  The objects are designed so that they stimulate all the senses.  When we use 3D objects the children can interact with the objects  and stimulate their brains in the process.  I placed a few items in the middle of our mat and asked the children what they would use to make a pulley? It was very interesting to listen to their thoughts and to watch how they manipulated the objects.  I am finding that the children are very responsive to this form of consultation as it creates a closer match between the children and the curriculum.  From this experience I will provide the children with some loose materials and the children will make their own pulley systems.  I use "Talking and thinking Floorbooks" to document how the children participate in the planning process, share knowledge and communicate their ideas.  Respect is being shown to the children by valuing their thoughts and opinions.  If you would like to find out more information on 3D objects and 3D mind mapping I recommend you purchase the book "Talking and Thinking Floorbooks" written by Claire Warden. 

I purchased a pulley system months ago and every time I went to set it up I struggled with the directions and put them back into the cupboard.  On the weekend I was telling my husband about the pulleys and he was kind enough to come to the preschool early this morning and help set them up ready for the when the children arrived.  Each pulley had a bucket and a spade and the children were able to fill their buckets easily.  It didn't take them long to work out how to use them and the loved that they were able to stand way over at the fence and still be able to pull the buckets up into the air.  When you look through the photos you will notice a magpie, this magpie sat on top of the wood watching the children using the pulleys, I think the magpie was just as amazed as the children were with their new learning area.  Now that they know how to lift things up and down we will look at using the pulleys to move items across the playground.  We could send messages to each other, or use it to transfer bigger items from one area to another, there are endless possibilities.