Structures

Hello!

As we finish up our science unit on structures and materials, we are discussing ways of reusing materials in order to reduce the amount of garbage we produce. Some of our ideas are:

• Give clothes that are too small to a younger/smaller sibling or friend.
• Use old clothes to make something new.
• Patch ripped clothing, or turn it into a different garment (e.g., pants into shorts).
• Use materials from old/broken furniture to create a new object.
• Donate old furniture/clothing to those less fortunate.
• Use empty boxes for arts & crafts.

Later this term, we will be talking about 3-D shapes in math and as part of this unit, we will try to build a structure using recycled materials. We have lots of time to collect materials, but it does take a while, so I thought I'd let you know since we have been talking about recycling. Anytime you find you have these materials at home, please send them in rather than throwing them away. We'll start a big box for collecting them in class. Please note: the cardboard varieties of the following are always preferable as they can be painted!

• Toblerone boxes (try to keep the ends attached) **
• paper towel or toilet paper rolls *
• cone-shaped paper cups (from the water cooler) **
• J-cloth boxes**
• milk cartons (please rinse)
• egg cartons
• mesh or cardboard berry baskets
• rectangular or square-based prism boxes no bigger than a cereal box
• even tiny boxes, like raisin boxes, are great!
• Styrofoam meat trays (washed with soap)

* indicates that this item will be in high demand!!

These are the obvious shapes. Unusual shapes are even better!

Please enjoy these pictures of our recent art workshops with Donnely, where we have been building 3-D structures out of recycled wood. We had to do our own sanding, wearing the proper safety equipment, and use special wood glue. Quite a big project!

STOP! Some of the sculptors would like to keep their work a secret until it's finished.

You need their permission to continue scrolling down to the more recent pictures!