Last week Martin Horspool was our guest speaker and he introduced us to some of the amazing creations he makes from recycling quality resources. After the session he sent through this link which he thought you might be interested in:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.resene.co.nz%2Fhomeown%2Fhabitat%2Fpdf%2Frecycle_robot.pdf&h=d3ce7
One of the interesting questions raised in this session related to children's safety and the possible resistance of centres to using some of the materials and processes we have been discussing. The above link provides an example of how it is possible to adapt and use materials which are safe, promote recycling and present us with opportunities to make three dimensional creations which encourage children to plan and design their own constructions - all important technological processes!
I'm interested to hear more about what you think of this and additional ways we could overcome possible resistance in order to provide children with challenging (yet safe) opportunities to learn about and through technology.
I thought Martin was a really interesting speaker and I thoroughly enjoyed his presentation. He is a very creative guy and sparked many creative ideas for me that are outside of the box of my thinking.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the link Martin sent through it had some great ideas that extend upon classic creations like spiders, bees and caterpillers from egg cartons.
Thanks heaps for you time Martin!
I felt inspired by Martins creations last week. It was interesting trying to put a name to each of the pieces that he had used in his masterpieces. In my home centre we had some old radios and the children enjoyed using the screwdrivers to take them apart and see what was inside. Martin's creations made me think we could have taken this further, but at the time it did not occur to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your creativity and inspiration Martin I will look differently at scrap metal yards next time I drive by.
I'm really glad that people enjoyed Martin's presentation and I'm interested in the postings that are starting to emerge. Lisa in hindsight what are some of the ways you think you could extend these children's interests? Maybe you could write about it for one of your reflective blogs...
ReplyDeleteI was very much inspired by Martin's creations. He was so creative and now i think we should have had him in our creativity class so that we would have had more ideas. The way he used all the metals to make robots gave me an idea to work with children at daycare as we have an old typewriter which we can use to make creative things for the centre. We also have some boxes in the centre and from that we can make diffrent things for example making phones with tissue boxes and extending children's interest. It is safe and this will provide children with challenging opportunties to explore technology.
ReplyDeleteI found our guest speaker Martin inspiring; his passion for what he does was evident though his presentation. He proves the saying that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. I love that he can see outside the box and is able to pull recyclables apart and create a work of art. The link Martin posted made me think about the resources in my centre, and how we can use them to create art work, or even materials for children to play with. For example making guitars from boxes and long wrapping paper rolls.
ReplyDeleteHi Class,
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that Martin was a very inspiring, and passionate guest speaker. Through his presentation I could see that his creativity is also a huge contribution to the way he works with technology and that his creations are truly a work of art. I have now been able to see outside my own box of thinking and have had the opportunity to see that technology to is a work of art. Plus I am now able to see that recyclable materials are so much more then scrap as many people seem to believe. I very much agree reading Nirias comment that one man’s junk, is another man’s treasure. I now am able to apply certain aspects of the presentation into my centre while working with children to foster their exploration of technology. It is like the saying that children perhaps know what a computer is...but do they really know what is inside a computer...for example it would be such a cool oppertunity to find a recycled old computer and take it apart to see what components make a computer inside. Another important thought for myself is to actually recycle these materials properly one for the environment and two because the possibilities are endless with such materials for children.
Response to Martin the Robot Man
ReplyDeleteMartin had made some very creative and imaginative items out of the materials he had found. The Resene website was great with its’ step by step guide to make a very cool looking robot. The Resene robot was created out of materials that could be easily obtained. I liked the step by step photos which could be used to make robots with the children.
In response to overcoming resistance in order to provide children with challenging yet safe opportunities to learn about and through technology I have the following suggestions.
I would suggest a gradual approach to introducing materials. Start off with simple materials like formula tins, metal bowls, spoons, bottle tops, old keys and electrician wire that has been cut up to begin with. Work towards gradually introducing more complex materials over say a 2-4 week period. More complex materials could be chains, steering wheels, old appliances that have been pulled apart with the removal of any dangerous parts removed. Ask parents if they have anything they would like to donate. Obviously safety is paramount so make sure children have shoes on and are familiar with and have the skills to use the tools such as hammers, saws etc. Most importantly make sure you are there to supervise and that there are only small numbers of children who have plenty of work space. Perhaps we could ask for some parent helpers to come and help. Another suggestion would be to ask those who are resistant to working with recycled materials because of safety issues what they could suggest to ensure safety or steps that could be put in place to make them happier about these types of projects.
As everyone else has said, I find Martin very inspiring and creative too! I think it's a bit sad when something is thought of and treated as junk, but amazing when it turns into something new and someone else's treasure! This is certainly a work of art. I like how it is a great way to recycle odds and ends and thus they don't have to be thrown away.
ReplyDeleteTo overcome resistance to children gaining these opportunities to learn from technology I feel supervision is very important to help keep children safe from harm. In addition to that, I suggest that teachers could introduce new materials, tools and objects to the children and make sure the children are aware of the hazards involved with things that are potentially dangerous. Then gradually they can explore to become more familiar under supervision.
Also before introducing materials and objects, teachers could check them for dangerous parts like sharp edges and so on.
However with the teacher's discretion, the materials provided should be reasonably safe for the children to use and if necessary maybe only the teachers should handle the materials with the children observing what is being done.
With people who are opposed to use of recycled materials or children working with recycled materials, maybe teachers can have an open discussion with them about the issues involved and possibly they can collaboratively come up with more ways to help children be safe.
During Martin’s session with us, I could see the expression of awe on the faces of the students. The items that he had created were wonderful pieces of art. He spoke with passion about what he did. I observed that his eyes sparkled each time he took out a piece and talked about it. The extent of passion and creativity left a lasting impression in our minds.
ReplyDeleteBeing so imaginative and creative, Martin had proven to us that nothing is impossible and “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”. In his hands, what was seemingly a piece of ‘junk’ at the start would turn out to be another unique piece of art. At the same time, when he used discarded materials, he was cultivating the good habit of recycling and helping to keep our earth clean and green. It takes only one man to believe in what he is doing, and it is just like a spark that starts the fire. Well done, Martin…
Our class was so motivated by him. In turn, we would motivate the children under our care. I envisage and I am hopeful that progressively our respective centres would become places of created arts filled with immense beauty, highly admired by children, families/whānau and all.
We could start small by using some recycled cartons and paper rolls. Ideas can be obtained by observing art pieces created from recycled materials such as those items displayed on the window sill of Room ND203. Ideas have the capacity to build on ideas and right now, I can imagine myself motivating children to create animal art out of the recycled materials such as plastic bottles, shoe boxes, milk cartons etc.
Let’s join Martin in keeping the fire going….
While listening and admiring Martin’s amazing creation out of used materials, I couldn't help but think that ‘one man’s junk is another man’s treasure’. With his creative finished products, Martin shows how we can make good use of unused, and unwanted materials and transform them into works of art. Personally, I am inspired by Martin's creativity. He demonstrates a creative alertness. It has also afforded me some great ideas in my own centre about how we can use a variety of simple materials stashed away for future use. I'm thinking it's time to bring these materials out of hiding, as I know they have great potential to be enjoyed by all. These materials include empty cardboard rollers and empty egg cartons to name just a few. With the help of simple technologies like the cello tape and paste for sticking parts together or scissors for shaping, children are provided with opportunities to exercise their mental cognition, fine, and gross motor skills. The list can go on and on. It certainly gets one thinking outside of the square which is a very necessary need if we are to see our children become skillfully active and motivated in their thinking during the very important first years of their lives. I thought to myself "if Martin can be that creative then I can be too!" Children need teachers who are creative and open minded too. We need to facilitate and provide the best environment conducive to their ongoing learning.
ReplyDeleteGood creative thinking Martin.
I found Martins class really fascinating; I enjoy the world of art and love the idea that through our imagination we are able to explore many wonderful ways that inspire creativity. Martin was able to demonstrate to us that through using technology as a creative tool the doors open to many possibilities if you are willing to your imagination.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of children learning to use their imagination to become thinkers. At my centre we have let children play and pull apart radios and key boards and we have let the children be creative using recyclable objects such as plastic bottle tops and yogurt containers. However I really like the idea of encouraging the children to use their imagination and thinking skills to build something using scrap metals and to think about all the possibilities when they see old and used objects instead of thinking junk!!
Unfortunately we are hindered by very strick safety rules and although I agree safety is paramount I think we have become so safety conscious that we have become overly cautious therefore now we are not prepared to take risks or think outside the square if it means there is slight danger. Wouldn’t it be cool to have different sorts of resources for design technology in our art area to add a new dimension instead of the usual collage materials. We could have baskets of nuts, bolts, screws and bits of pliable tin or copper!! I think the boys would really enjoy using such technology to be creative. In fact I think I am going to suggest this for my centre!
It was great to see Martin having a passion for recyclable materials, this is something my centre is passionate about, and from listening to Martin and looking at his masterpieces I can feel this is possible for children to create with our recyclable materials.
ReplyDeleteAs we are an Reggio Amelia inspired centre we have a big area and a sign that says “ Re – use, Re – cycle, Re – invent”.
About a year ago we did create a “robot man” from milk bottles, juice containers, etc, and all the children that worked on this were really proud of their hard work and from this learning experience we had a lot of discussions about recyclable materials and why need to recycle.
Even to this day we have children bringing in ‘odds and ends’ for our recyclable area.
I really enjoyed Martins presentation and found it inspiring. An issue I have at my own centre is the safety aspect of implementing an experience like this. Although myself and the other teachers would be happy to oversee an activity like this sometimes it can come down to restraints either from parents or management. I believe a great fear for parents and educators alike is how safe is it for children, I feel that we need to have more confidence in our children’s ability and that with support and guidance from teachers this could be a very successful learning experience for all involved. A way to overcome this fear could be to have discussions with them about the advantages and knowledge that children could gain from experimenting with different types of technology.
ReplyDeleteReading all the comments here, as I missed Martin’s presentation, gives me a very good indication of how good and creative he is. Everyone seems captivated and inspired by his recycled creations. Although I didn’t get the chance to see all those inspiring creation he made my mind wondered.
ReplyDeleteI started goggling some product made of recycled materials, and I was amazed by the things we can do on recycled materials, from bottles, jars, boxes, old cds, tubes, plastics bags to name a few, that I didn’t think we could make. My old centre was a Reggio Emilia inspired, and we did some recycling, but lacking creativity on our part, recycled items were abandoned.
I guess we all need inspiration, passion, and knowledge of creativity to be able to create things like Martin did. There are some safety measurements that we have to remember when using recycle materials as martin probably has mentioned and most of it are common sense.
After seeing all those crafts made from recycled materials, I am now inspired to introduce it in my centre. To begin with I am going to ask our tamariki what they already know about RECYCLE and I will take it from there. Let’s keep our environment green.
Hey Guys,
ReplyDeleteI am very sad that I missed this awesome class that you guys had attended. I have read all the comments and am very greatful for that because it has provided me with an idea of what Martin did in class. I can honestly say that I have visited his website and I am amazed with his work. I now have the confidence and the urge to move forward and use all the recycled resources that children collect from home and present it to the children in a very creative way instead of just dumping it in one corner of the room where chidlren don't really take notice off. I believe children will gain so much out of this technology experience with collage and especially the knowledge of how different materials work.
I have passed on his website to a colleague of mine that is currently doing an assignment on Recycling. So thank you to you all for providing me with a insight to what Martin's visit was to our class.
Cheers.
Yes I must agree with everyone else in that Martin was inspiring and creative. He looks so proud of his work, making robots and other things. This will be a good thing to do with the children at the centre. I think if we supervise the children while their using the materials they should be safe from harm. We sometimes have the carpenty table out and are able to supervise the children so that they do not hurt themselves.
ReplyDeleteWhat a talent Martin has, he is very creative. It is very inspiring how he transforms and creates items from reusable materials like old batteries, various metals and so on. Unfortunately it is very challenging for students like me, who are not employed by the centre to initiate projects like Martin’s. However, I would start by simply collecting interesting items that can be found around the centre, from trips around the neighborhood, or items brought from homes. These items could be anything like plastic bottles, cereal boxes, buttons, clothespins, cotton puffs or seashells. Any found object could be inspiration! I believe that education for independence should begin early in children’s lives through the use of simple technology. For example, just from boxes children can make robots, castles, cars, city streets, boats and more, simply by the use of a cello tape, stapula or glue.
ReplyDeleteDiscussing with the centre director on how to extend children’s experience through technology, and seeking advice on how to go about in terms of supervision, would possibly prevent resistance of giving children the opportunities to learn about and through technology. Not only will the children be exploring and learning how to use technology. They will also be contributing in keeping the environment clean, by making use of the reusable materials.
Hi, Tamar
ReplyDeleteIt was great to have the opportunity to view Martin's creations and listen to his wonderful experience by going out and looking for pieces by pieces gradually. I'm sure that they were all priceless and wonderful experience for him to collect as his journey moves on. What a talent and persistent man!
It would also be a great learning opportunity for our children if they have the chance to go to see his exhibition. It can be a provoke for some of our children because they are really interested in making different things out from those recycled stuff we got from parents.
In our center, we do have a corner where it's full of those valuable treasure that some of the children are always addicted to find something out and make new stuff. Recycled stuff is our treasure in our center. But we also need to be aware of the safety side as well. For example, some of the containers parents have brought might contain some egg ingredient thus can be a great risk for children who are seriously allergic to egg. As educator, we let children have the freedom to explore and have fun but at the same time, it's also our responsibility to keep our children away from harm. In the case above, we need to check all those recycled stuff before we let children have access to them.
It's good to hear that people in the class were inspired by Martin's visit and that you have been thinking about creative ways to provide childen with a wider range of experiences about and through technology. A key theme which is coming through this discussion is that of recycling. A downside of technology is that the fast pace of change is linked to a throw away culture so it's really important to foster children's awareness of the importance of recycling. I very much liked the motto from Lisa Smith's centre about "re-cycle, re-use, re-invent". That could provide the basis for a very interesting project with children - hint hint. Keep that thought in mind when we start discusing the next assignment : )
ReplyDeleteI found Martin’s creations very inspiring. His creations show that if we pay attention to recycled materials in the environment a lot of it can be put to good use. It is a matter of taking interest and being passionate. The Resene website step by step guideline to making robot can be helpful for children. When children are using recycle materials it is great for the environment because they are using materials that had a previous life, but they are also wonderful examples to children of the good things that can come from recycling. In this day and age recycling is becoming very important than it has ever been. Children will learn about taking care of the environment while learning to build objects from recycled materials. In my centre there will be some resistance from management and teachers for children to use recycle material especially if they think it is not safe. I can advocate for using such materials in the centre by proposing that at one time a small group of children participate in projects that can be managed and supervised easily. Maybe request parents and families to help out.
ReplyDeleteWe were so privileged to have a person like Martin to be our guest speaker. He was very inspiring and I admired his wonderful creations from recycling quality resources to create something new. It is true that some people place great value on the things that others ignore or find worthless. The link which Martin posted shows some of the ways we could adapt materials which are safe for the children and hence promotes recycling. In my centre we have a huge bin which is labeled “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” where parents and other teachers drop in some of the materials which could be recycled by children at different areas of play. To ensure safety those materials are inspected by the centre manager before given out to the children. Sometimes we come across things like little nuts and bolts, screws and other metals which is not been given to the children to use for safety reasons. Now I feel that I could discuss with the Manager about using those technology to be more creative in doing a fun recycle project at the carpentry table. Supervision and guidance will be needed from the teachers thus teachers can allow children to take risk while ensuring safety.
ReplyDeleteMartin's visit was very much inspiring and while listensing to him and his amazing creation out of used materials, I couldn't help but think that ‘one man’s junk is another man’s treasure’. i my center, we have got 3 boxes kept beside the area with the word "recycle" written on it.children have been taught during mat time what the word means and so the children have a fair understanding of the word, and that box is taken outside to be emptied into the big green bin by the children. even from the staff room, we bring food and lollies wrappers to be used by the children. also taking in mind the safety of recycling, which is mostly common sense, but we as supervisors do need to play our part.
ReplyDeleteI was in awe of Martin's passion for creating something new out of things deemed as junk. It inspired me to think deeply about the types of materials that can be introduced to children at the centre for construction or artistic purposes. At the moment, cardboard boxes, egg cartons and magazines are being given to children as part of the 'sustainable materials' theme. However, it had never crossed my mind as an educator that petty things such as the legs of a broken chair, old drawer knobs or reasonable sized metals could be used in an early childhood setting too. However, it is up to the teachers to decide whether the materials are age appropriate and safe (Grant, 2010). So, for instance, you would not provide a toddler with a wooden chair leg for fear that he may drop it on his feet or try and hit someone with it. However, you could provide a four year old with one to work on while doing woodwork. Likewise,it would be wiser to engage older children with metals for fear of younger children cutting themselves while exploring the materials with their hands. I suggest that younger children be given plastic materials such as old water or juice bottles, yoghurt containers or plastic utensils that are not used anymore. Hence, technology does not only involve high-tech gadgets but more importantly, involves the physical and mental processes that take place while a child creates a work of art (Smorti, 1999).
ReplyDeleteReferences
Grant, M. (2010). Technology integration in early childhood and primary classrooms: access, use and pedagogy remain criticial components to success. Memphis, Tennessee, USA: University of Memphis
Smorti, S.(1999). Technology in early childhood. Early Education, Autumn (19), 5-10.
Hey everyone
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how easily it is to jump to conclusions that some equipment or resources are not appropriate for young children. A couple of weeks ago I was cleaning out my room and I found a small collection of those little boxes that rings and other jewellery come in. These weren’t fancy felt ones they were just cheap ones from pascoes. There were different sized ones but most of them were small ring ones. I didn’t know what to do with them. For some reason I couldn’t bear to throw them away. I decided to take them into work were we have a recycling collection area for boxes and plastic bottles for all of the rooms to use and access. I didn’t think the jewellery boxes were appropriate for my room which is the under twos but thought another room could enjoy them. In the next few days I found one of the babies in my room playing with one of the little boxes. I was so surprised. I asked my colleague where the jewellery boxes came from. She told me that she found them in the recycling area and gave them to the babies to play with. “The babies really love them” she told me “It’s nice for them to have something new”. I found this so funny that these boxes had wound up in my room. I watched the babies playing with the boxes. They did really enjoy them. They especially loved the way that they snapped shut due to the magnets inside the box lids. I was a little disappointed in myself that I didn’t see how much the babies would enjoy the jewellery boxes. I also felt so stupid because I realised that the boxes were a great tool for developing the babies’ fine motor skills.
Kia ora,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I was not present when ‘Martin worked his magic’ in class to highlight what is possible with re-useable items, and large dollops of imagination. However, the comments from my peer’s and your link have enabled me to build a ‘picture’ of how his presentation unfolded. Thanks everyone.
On a recent teaching practicum I found myself feeling ‘overwhelmed’ by the resources available for their tamariki to recycle and create with, these included:
• Television machines, toasters, eft-pos machines, calculators, compact disks
• Large plastic crates and spools, some large enough to climb on
• Boxes of embossed wallpaper and Fridge and Washing machine cartons
• Indoor and outdoor paint, coloured glass (with tempered edges to avoid mishap)
• Large trolleys of un-treated wood
• Fabric, buttons, beads, film containers, tins, wool
My centre's whānau do support their tamariki’s learning and donate cereal boxes, egg trays, yoghurt containers, and plastic bags. However, in response to your question, I believe a continual struggle that prevails within my centre is a deficient of recycled materials for tamariki to access.
Subsequently, I question 'If our low socio-economic location affects the variety of recycled materials that are obtainable? Could this then impact on our children’s appreciation of ICT ?
While I do believe children can bring their imagination into reality, I think we as teachers should think outside the box. I have now discussed with my peers my intention to contact local retailers, manufacturing depots and such to search for discarded items that our children can safely, assemble into ‘works of art’.
I propose increasing the variety and volume of materials available to our little learners is supporting their holistic development and sustaining our role as kaitiaki (guardians) of Papatuanuku.
as i am usually the first person to throw everything away when tidying up i now find myself saving little cartons and containers and pieces of material to add to the carpentry table and realising potential in the smallest of things. which is exactly how we should treat things as everything children can learn from. i really wish we had a little extra in the budget to go and but little things like computers and material for realistic play as it would broaden children's experiences and provide a whole new outlook for their play. i had a good idea to ask the parents and see if they had any material like that and one parent had huge tubes they got rid of and brought them in for us another had old cards which we use with the children on the art table.
ReplyDeletei have always felt that children are often too guarded and unable to do the very things we used to do as kids and some of my fondest memories are of playing and building our own real swings and houses and now children are always told to be careful and we stop them fro having those experiences which really upsets me so i feel the smallest things we can do are to give them space to make their own toys and build with resources that are meaningful to them.
Martin’s robot presentation was amazing and was very inspiring. He had showed us how technology could transform things from one material to another. He gave me many different ideas I can implement in my centre. I found his ideas fascinating. He uses technology through his interest, which we as an early childhood teachers can do. Using recycle materials to create things would be a good idea to do in a centre. this session was very informative so thank you Martin for sharing you wonderful ideas.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Martin's presentation and was amazing what you could make by reusing items that people think are trash, as the saying goes "one man's trash, is another mans treasures".
ReplyDeleteMartian gave the class many different ideas they could take back and implement to their home centres.
I thought that he was very inspiring and we all admired his wonderful creations from recycling quality resources to create something new (like a robot).
Martian told and showed us different ways we could use materials what would be safe for young children to use to create their own master pieces.
I never really thought about having different types of recycling bins that parents and teachers can put different types of materials or old equipment in for children to explore and create things. I will differently be organising something like this in my centre.
Kia Ora,
ReplyDeleteI reckon Martin rocks, I didnt know that there was someone who still makes robots using quality materials from junk, at my preschool, transformers seems to come up all the time and myself and my team have encouraged parents to bring in any junk from home that our children can explore. Working with four year olds, most of them are learning to experience in using tools for example screw drivers. This is the basis of creating something from recycle materials. I am hoping to get a workshop created for children to store all our recycled materials for e.g Video decks, cd players, old car parts so that they dont get thrown in the bin. So Martin really encouraged me to help children to get our workshop done so that their work is being respected and that parents can also see what is taking place.
Kia Ora.
Yes 'Mum of four' the picture has been painted for sure. I was not in class to experience the great use of the imagination. They do say that one man's junk is another man's treasure. What a wicked concept of teaching children to design, makes and appraise (DNA) their work (Smorti, 1999, p2), and the process of recycling. Children learn so much through planning and designing their own work. This helps them to become affirmed as individuals, learn responsibility and direction of their own learning. I work with infants and toddlers, this experience of creativity and imagination can empower independence, which infants and toddlers crave. “The curriculum enables all children to develop an enhanced sense of self worth, identity, confidence, and enjoyment” (MOE, 1996, p40).
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