"In this classroom, relationships are fostered, families are respected, and children are honored.
In this classroom, nature's gifts are valued and children's thoughts are captured.
In this classroom, learning is alive and aesthetic beauty is appreciated." -Unknown

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Transportation Unit: Making a Box Car



We've been working on a Transportation unit at preschool lately and I wanted to create cars the kids could race around in themselves. Out of that desire our Box Cars came to be.

My family had recently moved so I just happened to have some boxes lying around the house. I took four that were approximately the same size into the classroom. I folded all the flaps inside the boxes and invited the kiddos to paint the outside of all four boxes. 


After two coats of paint were dry, I unfolded the two side bottom flaps and using a small plate, drew a circle shape on them with part on the side of the box and part on the flap. Using a boxcutter, I cut off the remaining flap that wasn't part of the circle and painted the "tires" black. 



Kiddo volunteers painted some small paper plates yellow to be our headlights.


 

I found some foil heart-shaped mini tins in the cabinet and asked for some helpers to paint them red to be our taillights/brake lights.


After all the paint was dry, I stapled the headlights to the front of each box and the taillights/brake lights to the back of each box. I folded the remaining flaps inside the boxes for extra sturdiness. When we went outside we put out some cones for an obstacle course and they were off!


Maneuvering a box as you would weave in and out of cones was a spatial challenge, but one that the kiddos seemed to enjoy.
Posted by at

27 comments:

  1. Coombe Mill - FionaMarch 1, 2013 at 3:25 PM

    Great imaginative use of boxes!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kierna CMarch 2, 2013 at 3:10 AM

    How weird - the girl who works with me was just talking about how her kids had made these at preschool yesterday (her kids are now 18, 16 & 15!). Love them, & thanks for adding them to the link up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms. BarbaraMarch 2, 2013 at 8:37 AM

      It was a nice twist for the kiddos. We have bikes and a scooter they can ride around on the bike path, but they seemed really invested in these since they had a hand in creating them.

      Delete
  3. The OT ToolboxMarch 2, 2013 at 5:28 PM

    How fun! I love those little tail lights/brake lights. I bet the kids will be talking about this for some time :0) Hi! I would love to invite you to link up at our Share It Saturday linky party. We have lots of creative ideas submitted each week and you would fit right in! http://www.sugaraunts.com/2013/03/share-it-saturday-9-and-our-week-in.html

    Hope to see you there!

    Colleen at Sugar Aunts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms. BarbaraMarch 2, 2013 at 5:35 PM

      Thanks, Colleen! I've shared with you guys before, but lost the link. I'm hopping over to share NOW! lol

      Delete
  4. Jessica @ Play Trains!March 3, 2013 at 1:00 AM

    I love that they got to race around in them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms. BarbaraMarch 3, 2013 at 6:43 AM

      They did have fun, Jessica. They were weaving in and out of the cone course. After awhile we lost some of the lights, so we talked about how sometimes you have to take your car to the repair shop to be fixed. lol

      Delete
    2. Jessica @ Play Trains!March 6, 2013 at 4:19 PM

      Oh, even better! My son spotted this post on someone else's FB page and now he REALLY wants to do it, especially when I read him your comment and pointed out we could take our (which are going to be steam engines) to the engine works if they fall apart.

      Delete
    3. Ms. BarbaraMarch 17, 2013 at 9:25 AM

      Yese, Jessica and what a great way to reinforce the names of the parts of the vehicle as it is being repaired. It would also be fascinating to find out just who repairs steam engines and that could send you down a whole new area of study. Great extension!!

      Delete
  5. Kelly at Little Wonders' DaysMarch 3, 2013 at 8:12 AM

    It looks like they had a great time. Thanks for linking to the After School Link Up.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousMarch 4, 2013 at 7:50 PM

    We made similar cars one year for my sons birthday party....the kids LOVED it!! Looks like they did here too! :-)

    Thanks for sharing at Sharing Saturday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms. BarbaraMarch 4, 2013 at 9:07 PM

      They did have fun with them. They really seemed invested in them since they were an integral part of the creating process.

      Delete
  7. Ms. BarbaraMarch 4, 2013 at 9:07 PM

    Thanks, Mariel. I just hopped over and shared. Thanks for the invite.

    ReplyDelete
  8. HannahWMarch 12, 2013 at 10:24 AM

    Great fun!!!

    Thanks for sharing with us at Eco-Kids Tuesday!! Hope you stop by again today! http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2013/03/nifty-thrifting-at-eco-kids-tuesday.html

    ReplyDelete
  9. HannahMarch 13, 2013 at 2:50 PM

    Loving that the kids got to drive their craft, especially after all that hard work painting it. Way better than just sticking something to the wall

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms. BarbaraMarch 17, 2013 at 9:24 AM

      I absolutely agree, Hannah. This way it was not only creative, but practical; hands-on in the creative process and hands-on experientially.

      Delete
  10. transportation in orlandoMay 9, 2013 at 1:56 PM

    Appreciation for the great text. I am just glad Concerning taken any time to know this.

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownSeptember 13, 2013 at 4:36 AM

    It is a great idea of making a box car I think that the kids will have much fun if their parents ask them to make a car like this of their own.
    Auto Transport Quotes

    ReplyDelete
  12. hammedJanuary 11, 2021 at 1:54 AM

    We are a growing credit restoration company specializing in restructuring and building your lost credit. We are a hard working credit restoration company helping consumer restore and rebuild their credit. During the credit restoration process, we will provide you with information and the education you need to continue raising your credit score. car transportation

    ReplyDelete
  13. best fishing hooksFebruary 28, 2021 at 9:03 PM

    Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. i have a Convenience of a Rideshare App govetted ride with the Quality of a Professional Driving Service. Our Professionally Trained & Vetted Drivers Offer Safety & Security for Everyone. View Locations. Subscribe To Newsletter.

    ReplyDelete
  14. best fishing hooksMarch 3, 2021 at 6:57 AM

    Extremely informative. I wanted to thank you for this excellent post. I surely enjoyed each little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out more new stuff you post in the future. i love this blog so much.it is very much informative..Atlas Citrine & reachtruck kopen

    ReplyDelete
  15. Alex VolkovApril 28, 2024 at 1:14 PM

    The technology integration in this vehicle is impressive. Largo Locksmiths

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)