BASC Fall 2011: Wooden Sculptures

I opened the plain, brown cardboard box and I was immediately excited by what I saw - hundreds of odd shaped wood pieces! Lumber stores and online school suppliers often sell inexpensive bags of left over wooden pieces. It is a great way to recycle wood bits that might otherwise get thrown away. In addition, the wood bits provide children with a very open-ended activity. Each child got about 25 pieces of wood. Some children liked the round shapes while others stuck with traditional Popsicle sticks and a few interesting shapes. Everyone came up with unique ways to put the pieces together on their support. As each sculpture evolved the children saw an apple, people, a castle, or a tea party. One girl decided to make a pleasing design using the assorted shapes. Wood Glue and Tacky Glue dried fast and held the wooden pieces together well. Next week the children will paint their wooden sculpture.