The children in the Sunflower Room at Stepping Stones Co-operative Nursery have been exploring the work of firefighters. In their creative area, as well as making model fire engines from recycled materials, they have developed a system for recreating the curly shapes of the firefighters'
water hoses.
Planned learning intentions
To begin to talk about the shapes of everyday objects
To notice and comment on patterns
To manipulate materials to achieve a planned effect
To begin to use representation as a means of communication
Resources
Small blocks of wood ,small squares of thick cardboard ,PVA glue ,felt pens string ,paint ,shallow dishes ,pictures and photographs of fire engines with hoses attached and fire-fighters unrolling hoses 3a short length of garden hose
Step by step
* Look at some photographs and pictures of fire engines with hoses attached, and at firefighters unrolling hoses. Pass around the garden hose and talk about how it is flexible so that it can be stretched out and then rolled up again into a smaller shape after use. Talk about how firefighters' hoses are used and how they are transported on a fire engine.
* Invite children to choose a wooden or cardboard block and then ask them to draw a length of hose on it, using a felt pen. They can draw the hose in any shape of their choosing.
* Have children spread glue over the drawing and then press a short length of string into the glue, following the line drawn earlier. Trim off the excess string.
* Allow the string to dry and then provide shallow trays with a layer of thick paint in various colours in the bottom. Invite children to dip their blocks into the paint and use them to print hoses as part of a larger picture, or to create a repeat pattern.
* Display the printing blocks alongside the children's fire engine models.
Activities
* Try creating and printing different curly shapes with string on blocks, such as snail shells or worms.
* Use short lengths of garden hose dipped into paint to print on a larger scale outdoors.
