GRASPS Grade 1

I discussed with the first graders Materials, Light and Air during the second term. For their GRASPS project, they were tasked to create a model house that utilizes air and sunlight in the most efficient way. They are to take the role of an architect that is part of a design team of a real estate company and their model house is to be showcased in mall kiosks to potential home buyers. They are to use durable building materials such as clay, popsicle sticks, cardboard, and the like that can make it stand until exhibit day.

Again, my proposal received positive feedback from Ms. Marj :) It is indeed nice to have some kind of integration with other subjects for the next academic year.



It was a real challenge to facilitate sessions where the groups worked on it. Some refused to work in groups, others were heavily dependent on my help, and there were several instances where children were playing with the scissors, destroying other groups' work, hiding some materials, and playing the popsicle stick game. It took a while for them to finish of course. It is sad that photos of their finished work has been accidentally deleted :(

It really does take a lot of patience working with children this age. But then again, you can expect more output from them than preschool children. However, there are a lot of aspects to be managed and facilitated because they are also capable of more mischief. At some point I did think about making projects individual to prevent rifts between groupmates due to lack of cooperation and other things, but then again, with individual projects you have to contend with other people making their project, late submission or no submission at all.