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The Class Project (an auction item everyone in class is working on) was mentioned in last week’s bulletin, and we began working on it this week. We’ve told children that “we’re working on one art project for all of us to see at school when it’s done.” We’ve done other group projects already so it is not a new idea. We also mentioned that we’ll get a chance to see the project after it’s “put in a very hot oven to melt the pieces together,” and then it will be at a party for the grownups so everyone’s parents can take a look. We have not shared with children that one family will ultimately have it at their home after the auction. This information seems less important to share with kids than the idea of working together and then seeing the end result. So far, they’ve enjoyed having a chance to add their ideas to the piece and it’s looking great!
Here’s how it goes: children sign up for a turn to work with one other person. We prompt them to take a moment to look at the materials and the work that’s already done. Then, when they’re both “ready with some ideas” we turn over a 3-minute timer. This sounds like a very small amount of time, but in the world of early childhood, so much can happen in 3 minutes. Watered-down glue is applied with a brush and pieces of glass (not sharp glass) are applied to the glue. Children can sign up for another turn if they’d like to. Later, the piece will be fired at a glass studio and then returned to us.
