Big Bolt Construction Set

I received a $1000 grant to purchase hands-on items for my kindergarten classroom from the local A+ Teacher's Credit Union. One of the many items I purchased was a Big Bolt Construction Set from Lakeshore. I would never have bought this item with my own money because $90 is alot for this toy, but it will work great for at least one of the standards my kindergarten kids must master: the student is expected to identify parts that, when separated from the whole, may result in the part or the whole not working, such as cars without wheels and plants without roots.

Since it is still about a month before school is starting I have been letting the boys slowly play with a few of my new classroom items. This construction set was a success!!!

Little J was able to ...

•hammer

•use a wrench

•twist and turn the nuts and bolts

•enhance his hand eye coordination and fine motors skills

•and create his own designs

... all while using his imagination and most importantly having fun.

I guess if a toy really does all of those things and it isn't a one time wonder it might just be worth the money as a Christmas gift or something similar.

Even Daddy got in on the fun. Building just runs in the family. G built my last house. Honestly, electric wiring, framing, etc. He hired out stuff he just didn't want to bother with, but for the most part he worked on everything himself. T Man has been reading Lego direction since four and wants to be an architect when he gets older. I guess I'll have to wait and see about Little J.

Above is one of the many constructions we built during our playtime. We had so much fun.

How to Hold a Pencil

At the beginning of kindergarten it is really important for a child to come in with some concept of what his/her name looks like.  Holding a pencil somewhat correctly is also a big plus.

When I teach young children how to hold a pencil, I have him/her lay the pencil facing away from the body.  I ask the child to pick up the pencil and use the pointer finger from the opposite hand to flip the pencil into position.  I make sure to point out that the three fingers gripping pencil are rounded.

After this is taught, I can simply say... PICK AND FLIP.  The child will automatically pick it up and flip it back into the correct position.

It is sometimes helpful to place a marker line around the pencil where the child needs to place his/her fingers.

pencil grip link

*TROUBLESHOOTING NOTES*

Rounding Fingers: Place a pom-pom in the space between fingers and pencil.  Make sure that your child knows to not smash the pom-pom. 

Pulling the Pencil Back Against Opening Between Pointer and Thumb:  Loop a rubber band around your child's wrist.  Make sure it is not too tight.
Take a second rubber band and thread it under the wrist band.  Place both ends of the rubber band over and around the pencil.  This will pull the pencil back into the correct position.

Click here to view a picture of using the rubber band as a grip assistance.  Scroll down to page 182.