September 24th, 2013

 The spirit of inquiry and imagination was alive and active in Room 14 as my Grade 1’s let creativity lead them in designing and building their own unique cardboard carnival games. Inspired by 9-year old Caine Monroy’s DIY Cardboard Arcade, the grade 1’s collected re-usable items from home, including cracker, cereal and pizza boxes, string, tape, foil, elastics and even small toys to support their cardboard game designs. On building day students worked in groups, pairs or on their own to transform their vision into a cardboard reality. Though only the 14th school day of the year, I was struck by the incredible collaboration that was evidenced through this project. As I stood out of the way organizing our collection of materials and cutting strips of packing tape (trying desperately to keep up to the high demand!) it suddenly hit me: I haven’t had a single student ask for my help! I quickly reached for my camera to survey the scene and there they were…students working intently; focused, engaged, consumed by the creative vision taking shape at the work of their own little hands. From cardboard tennis, to soccer to angry birds, I was awed by the effort put forth by each student to put their imagination to work.

I can’t promise our Grade 1 games will stand out as the most creative, the most unique, the most inventive among the display at Wellesley PS on October 4th; but I do guarantee that in the end, it won’t matter in the least. The sense of pride, personal accomplishment and the authentic enthusiasm that has already been displayed through the Cardboard Challenge is truly the stuff that lasting memories are made of.