This weekend I put together a new patterning activity. One inspiration for this work was this post at Itty Bitty Love and I also got the idea of gluing the beads onto straws somewhere online but I can't remember where. I hate it when that happens. If you have seen something similar somewhere, email me so I can include the link in this post. Anyway, here is the work.
The tray holds a smaller tray of bead patterns to copy, a little container with wooden beads (I found it on a quick trip to my local thrift shop on Sunday!!) and a jar with two "skinny" straws (these are the kind used as coffee stirrers, much thinner than a normal drinking straw). To prepare this work, I found beads that could fit onto the straws and made up patterns. I hot-glued the beads to the straws for the "control" straws. (NOTE: A tip I learned the hard way: string the bead onto the straw first THEN apply a thin line of hot glue around one end and immediately slide the next bead on thus sticking them together. If you apply the hot glue first then slide it on it sticks to the straw and that is not a good thing.) Then, I placed corresponding beads into the container. After observing the children doing this work I removed one of the straws. That way they can remove the beads after they do one pattern before starting another pattern.
To do this work the child chooses a control straw and copies the pattern on the empty straw. Then they get a teacher to check their work. After their work is checked they may put it away or get a new pattern to copy. The children have really enjoyed this work.
This is such a beautiful idea... and I love the pretty box that you've kept all the beads in... inlaid mother-of-pearl, right? That's such a lovely touch, Laura.
Posted by: Aditi | November 20, 2008 at 03:08 AM
I can't wait to set this up in my classroom! Thanks for another great idea! :)
Anne
Posted by: anne | November 18, 2008 at 09:41 PM
Great! So often Egg was given something similar to this idea (from evaluators etc) but it was always a photo he had to copy, which is wrong for Egg for so many reasons. Add to wish list Glue Gun, I was worried to get one as I assumed the glue would be toxic. Cheers!
Posted by: RM | November 18, 2008 at 07:48 AM