Ring ring

Look what Ms Carter found! What is it?

We asked this question to the children as a provocation. We wanted them to learn about observation, explortaion, problem solving, team work and using prior knowledge to make connections.

JJ - It's a phone. It rings itself like this "Ring Ring Ring".

Maddy- I know how it works. You turn these things and then it's a phone. My mom used to have one.

David- You talk on this. Mine at home doesn't have this thing. (dial) Is that a clock? No, it's not the same.

Adam- It's a phone. It has different calls.

Landon- It has a telephone on it.

Amelia- Look! It turns like this!

Ava- It's an old phone. It's all dusty.

Hunter- What's that sound? (taps phone and we can hear a quiet ringing) I think it's that wheel. What's that plug for?

Once the interest was piqued, we brought out the tools and encouraged the children to take the phone apart so we could investigate further.

They inquired into how to use the tools as well as about the contents of the phone.

Kenadi- Look, it's 22cm.

Look at the focus, fine motor strength, problem solving and precision needed for this task:

Marley- That's a ton of wires! It's there so it can ring.

Soon the children discovered they could make the phone ring by tapping it with the screwdrivers. I always get so excited when children figure out new ways to use old tools.

What will we take apart next?