character box

Came up with a 'character box' (there must be a better name!) today - probably not an original idea, but not a clue as to where I might have seen it. If it is original -yay!, if not, then I would be very happy to give credit where it's due if anyone has the relevant info.

I'm thinking of using it in class where the figure, with an appropriately altered design, could be historical (Roman soldier, Victorian child etc), fictional or famous. I envisage the children writing facts/info on the enclosed booklet and maybe also putting small objects in the tray ie. button, coin. I could've used matchboxes but didn't have any to hand. Anyway, just thought I'd share.

It would also work for stories - it'd be especially good for nursery rhymes, with the main character (Humpty Dumpty, Jack/Jill etc) on the front and the text inside the box. For emerging readers the narrative could be told as a picture sequence.

automata

In y3 we have been having a go at constructing paper automata. It ties in with our Victorian topic and bridges the gap between Art and Design Technology. We are using a simple cam mechanism.

armatures

Managed to start putting the armatures for our ambitious papier mache sculptures together today. Have decided that the 'gymnasts' will be stereotypical Victorian - striped costumes, handlebar 'tasches etc. Possibly with the obligatory set of dumbells!

Origami tree

In Y3 we rounded off our origami endeavours by folding successively smaller pieces of paper into star baskets - and arranged them in a Christmas tree sort of way. We thought about putting small treats in the different boxes and using them as table decorations. We even contemplated making an advent type arrangement but decided we would need to start off with very large pieces of paper for the bottom boxes.

We have also started to paint our Boxosaurus. First an undercoat of green...