Collector's corner

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Home : 2003 : July : 22

Collector's corner
By Betsy

I didn't do a bulletin board but this was a great way for my students learn something about me and vice versa. On the first Friday afternoon of school we have a "Collector's Corner" sharing. Early in the week I model for
them a collection of mine that I brought in a decorated shoebox. I collect Nutcrackers (from the ballet) so I covered the box with Christmas wrapping paper and they had 3 guesses to figure out what was inside. Then I took them out and got to talk about them, where I got them,why I collect them, when I started collecting them, which one is my favorite, etc. We brainstormed about what things

they might bring, hot wheels,stickers,beanie babies,stuffed animals,postcards, keychains, toys from fast food places, etc, etc. I remind them that it has to fit in a shoebox and the outside needs to be decorated to hint about the inside. One girl collected dolls but she could only find one of her dolls that fit in the shoebox. Some kids throw everything in so I limit them to sharing their 3 favorites. After everyone has shared then we set them up around the room and take a "tour" to get a closer look and ask questions. This takes quite a bit of time but they really loved it and learned something new about their friends as well. If a student couldn't think of anything they "collect" I let them bring things that would tell the class about who they were. I also sent home a letter for the parents. Having extra shoeboxes is helpful, a local shoe store may be able to donate some.