the pendulum, AKA the wrecking ball

My dad built this pendulum for me over the summer using instructions by Bev Bos.  As you can see it is quite large so I had it in storage until I could find space for it. I dug this platform out of storage and placed it in our atrium (it was built by a former coworker and donated to the center when she left).

I showed the children how to build towers and use the 'wrecking balls' to knock them down. This is a nice outlet for children with a need to see things tumble! There is just something so inherently attractive about the creative and destructive processes. The foam blocks are light enough to be knocked over and can be built quickly for my friends with shorter attention spans.

For the older children who needed a greater challenge, I showed them how to make pyramids:

The end!

:: table top pendulum ::

I gave these Bev Bos plans for a table-top pendulum to my dad to help me build one for the classroom. And here it is.....

I am super-excited to introduce the concept to class and  I can't wait to post photos of it in use. Sqeeeeeeeeeeee!

reclaimed mesh weaving project

After my return from one of Bev Boss's workshops, I felt inspired to use recycled materials for future projects.

I found some plastic mesh material in the teacher's resource room. It practically begged for me to use it for a weaving/knot tying project. I brought it and spools of ribbon to the outdoor picnic table. I cut ribbon of varying lengths and colors and set them out. Curious children came over to see what was going on. Some stayed for a minute, others longer and wove the ribbon through the holes.

Those who wanted to tie knots did so as well. By the end of the day we had run out of ribbon and what looked like an underwater sea creature. When I lifted it up, the 'tentacles' blew in the wind delighting the children around me, who asked me what it was. I told them it was whatever we wanted it to be!

As soon as I can get back into my classroom this fall, and figure out where to hang our art, I will post a photo of the completed version.