Planned learning intentions
To select and use activities and resources independently To investigate objects and materials, using all of their senses as appropriate
Resources
* Wooden fence * strong clear plastic containers of different sizes * screws * screwdriver * small saw * plastic plumbing pipes and guttering * metal utensils such as pans and woks * sticks * wooden and plastic spoons * plastic coated cup hooks * string * card
Preparation
* Cut plumbing pipes into varying lengths and screw them along a section of fence in varying gradients so that children can post things through them.
* Screw plastic containers to another fence section at different heights, horizontally through the centre of the base.
* Screw hooks to the remaining section fence and tie utensils to these so that they hang freely.
Step by step
* Show children the plastic containers. What do they feel like? Does the fence feel the same? Introduce vocabulary such as 'rough', 'smooth', knobbly' and 'curved'. Find things to put in the containers, such as small cones or leaves, and involve the children in sorting and counting.
Encourage them to play freely, for example, filling containers with tiny items for a role-play shop.
* Create laminated cards depicting words used by children to describe the size, shape and feel of the containers and fence. Attach these to the fence to refer to as play progresses.
* Invite children to explore the plastic pipes. What will happen if they drop a small ball into one of them? Can they guess where it will emerge?
* Explain that utensils should not be removed, as they are heavy and sharp, but that they might make interesting sounds if they are hit with sticks or spoons. Encourage children to find their own beaters to create different sounds.
* Invite children to suggest ideas of their own and try them out together.
Activities
* Extend outdoor sound-making by hanging up wind chimes on trees and washing lines.
* Put a water trough underneath the pipes so that children can investigate what happens when they pour water into them.
Vicky Hutchinson is the manager at House of Eden Nursery, Aycliffe Village Primary School. She spoke to Jean Evans.