Things That GO!

One of the most fascinating things about using the Reggio Emilia approach to learning is being able to see how the students can take activities in an entirely different direction than we as teachers ever intended.  Our transportation theme was a perfect example of this!  We started the week with a few simple provocations to see which modes of transportation sparked the most interest in the children.

After a few days of discussion, it was very evident that there was a division of interest in my class.  One group was particularly interested in exploring air transportation, while the other group was much more focused on how we could make our ground transportation (the cars/trucks in the block center) go faster and further.  Throughout the next few days, the second group proceeded to explore the relationship between the usage of ramps and the speed and distance that the object will travel. 

During this process, the children decided that the cars themselves were hindering the process because some had wheels that didn't roll properly.  We decided that moving forward we should just use balls on the ramps.  This decision led to some very exciting marble activities!

All of this was very exhilarating (who doesn't love chasing marbles around the classroom?), but fear not!  The airplane enthusiasts were not forgotten!  That first group of students moved forward with planning, designing, and flying paper airplanes.  Through trial and error, they discovered which designs made a faster and stronger airplane.  Bringing those planes outside inspired helicopter and airplane games on the playground, as well as a fun parachute activity!

Mrs. K's class took this opportunity to explore the different modes of transportation in a variety of ways!:

                                                                Car Wash

                          Map Drawing                            Bubble Wrap Racing