Construction Table
Saws are under the table in the closed box.
Using a tape measure.
materials
Broken Appliances
C-Clamps
Fasteners (e.g. bolts, nails, nuts, self-tapping screws, washers)
Hammers
Magnets (strong)
Metal Parts
Miter Boxes
Pencils
Pipes
Pulleys
Ropes
Rulers
Safety Goggles
Saws
Scissors
Screwdrivers
Shelves for Organizing
String
Table
Tape Measures
Vice Grips
Wood
Work Gloves
C-clamps serve double-duty as hangers. The bucket of scissors used to be held up with rope, but the children cut it!
Pairs of gloves are folded together and placed through the fence. Each is marked "R" for right and "L" for left.
Plastic shelves with sliding, covered drawers organize materials and help protect metal tools from wet weather.
Miscellaneous items are marked with yellow tape.
Tools for turning are marked with green tape, miscellaneous parts with blue.
Hammering tools are marked with red tape.
Stainless steel IKEA bowls hold different types of fasteners. They are put away at night to help prevent rust, and are held to the table using strong magnets that are bolted to the center of the table.
Preschool-age children love to hammer. Self-tapping screws (found at my local hardware store in blue boxes under the "Grabber" brand) facilitate use as fasteners suited both to screwing and hammering.
Rolling lumber cart inspired by "Make" magazine.
Children made their own labels. They recognized that not all children can read, so they also illustrated each label. Scribble scrabble was their best interpretation for the mess of loose parts. The labels are on both the tops and fronts of each box, and the boxes are also transparent to facilitate ease of finding tools. The boxes are lidded to help prevent rust, as they are stored outside.
methods
I spelled out the words used for each label and the children placed the correct tools next to it to help make their labels.
Discovering the new organization system.
Gloves are used both for working and as dress-up, as are the goggles.
Not all the work at the construction table is construction. One child made a multitude of "castanets."
A log is placed to allow children some destructive and experimental use of the tools. A chair is always found in the area to facilitate adult supervision.
-Set-up of the area is crucial, and must be clean before the children arrive in order to ensure safety and proper use and respect of tools and other objects:
1. All the metal parts and fasteners are attached to a strong magnet in the center of the table or put away in closed bins.
2. Wood must be stored neatly.
3. All the tools must be put in their places.
4. Area must be carefully checked for dangerous objects on the ground.
5. The table and floor must be swept.
The rules are both burned into wood on the fence and in a garden brochure given to all parents and posted on the garden's bulletin board:
-This area has very specific rules. If broken, a child must leave the area and try again on another visit:
1. The area must be supervised by an adult.
2. You must wear closed toe shoes.
3. All the tools and fasteners must be kept in the construction area (in my case this is delineated by a line in the concrete).
4. No fighting or snatching.
5. Tools must not be raised above shoulder level.
6. If you hear or see anything drop onto the ground, everyone must stop until the object is picked up.
7. Clean up the area when you are done.
8. You may take the cool things you made home with you!
Real tools are essential!
Allow for experimentation! This girl is trying out the differences between a hammer and a mallet.
I don't make the children wear safety glasses, but they often choose to wear them.
Experimenting with spare parts.
Is hammering easier if I turn the piece upside down? No.
Level 6 fun.
A fine example of the work that can be done with preschoolers at the construction table... It took months, but we built a house! It was made from construction work cast-offs and yard trimmings. This was made by the a class of three-year-olds. And they used power drills! Once completed, the classroom next door made curtains with hearts sewn on them as a house warming gift, and a big party was held after hours with that classroom's families.
Small wood scraps are repurposed as art supplies.
The tools used to be stored in rope loops, but the onset of rust brought on the ire of the bosses. The new format of storing them in the drawers helps keep them from weather exposure but has also made the area less appealing to both the children and the teachers. I am currently thinking of using CLR to clean them up and applying a micro-oil tool protectant I saw advertised in one of my racing magazines. The rope loops served multiple purposes:
-They provided an organized and efficient means of storing the tools.
-They prevented children who were too impatient to learn how to remove the tools properly from using the tools, thereby preventing dangerous use.
Examples of the toys children built for themselves.
An old log used for cutting and drilling.
The garden is used for weekend parties. I came in on Monday to find this graffiti. I, for one, can totally appreciate it!
Random book donations, again found on a Monday morning. Thank you, whoever!
Lesson plan by Heather Taylor, teachoutside@gmail.com. You are welcome to share all materials with credit to her.