There has been an excited hive of activity huddled around the investigation area over the past two weeks. A selection of woodwork tools and a basketful of balsa wood appeared there with a temptingly glistening pot of nails and tacks.
At first the children were unsure if it was put there for them to explore and learn with. ''Miss Sullivan, Mr Morris has left his tools.''
Soon enough, the attraction of the saws and hammers became too much to bear and the children started to explore the tools and what they could do. The vice flummoxed the children and there was a very interesting conversation as to what it did. I explained that it would hold their wood still, ready to saw. Lots of funky fingers were then finding out how to screw it onto the table.
The children understood that they were working with dangerous tools so independently came up with their own rules. The most important one...that came from Kerron.. was, ''Just be sensible, nobody wants to hurt themselves.'' Indeed, we found that the children were capable of managing their own risks and respecting the tools they were working with.
From a lot of trial and error the children worked out that holding the hammer at the end worked best. They explored different forces of taps and decided that a few gentle taps to begin with would hold the tack I place...ready for a few more forceful 'taps'!
Mrs Nulty taught the children that carpenters mark their wood before cutting it. Rulers were brought to the table and notches drawn into the wood. ''Oh that's easier.'' said Jack.
There have been many, many creations built at the woodwork table and our kind, sensible FS2 children have been teaching the FS1 children all that they have learnt through their exploration and discovery.
Let us know if you have any more ideas to enhance this table... we have a feeling it will stay popular for a very long time!
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