Little Builders

Tuesday (10/04/2012)

a) Group Segregation

· Xiang Wei had suggested that we built a Watch
Tower similar to one on Great Wall of China. I sketched a castle that we
probably might build. Kids have got to think on what to add on. They eagerly
asked if the school has bought bricks and got so excited when I answered “Yes!”
Hiro said “We are Builders!”
·
The class was divided into 4 groups. They chose their
own partners.

b) The Bricks.
·
Kids carried bricks from my car; piece by piece
and they succeeded at delivering this first task. Although the kids were tired
but they were determined. Some put it down on the floor when they were tired
and continued almost immediately. Some kids carried in pairs. Xiang Wei was so
excited that he would report to me that his friends were working well together.
Hmm….Xiang Wei’s like the supervisor. I had the kids calculated the bricks and
there were 60!
·
Wei Lok: How heavy is this brick? It’s so heavy!
·
Teacher:
We’ve got to measure the weight later!

c) Mixing the Cement.
·
The kids wore a mask each for hygiene purpose.
The kids (Group 1) helped me to scoop the sand, fetched some water while I
scooped the cement. We mixed 1 bowl of cement, 2.5 bowls of sand and a bowl of
water. We mixed and realized there was too much water. Thus, we poured the
water out and added more cement. This time, the mixture looked solid and
better.
·
The other groups helped to stack the bricks to
the desired pattern we want without the cement so that they have a better idea!

d) Building activity.
·
The kids took spades, trowels and so some
birthday knives to help me spread cement mixture onto the bricks. I showed them
the stacking method. They were excited! The kids took turns. We only managed to
build about 18 bricks before calling off the day. To be continued on Friday!