Breaking the rules.
At school, we talk a lot about learning how to use tools and materials properly and as they were intended.
We also talk a lot about learning where we are supposed to use certain materials.
Knowing the proper "how's" and "where's" is really important. Not only are parameters and rules good for learning self-control, but they really do help us learn better and function as a community.
Take the Unifix Cubes that we have been using to make our patterns. The rules for our pattern unit are few, but important:
- What you build must be a pattern.
- It must be a straight line so that the structure is strong.
- It must stay on the Nest.
The children followed all of these rules beautifully.
Then I told them to unbuild the patterns and clean up. Time to move on to a different unit of study.
Instead, the children did this...
Not only did they not clean up, they broke every rule!
- They were not building a pattern
- They were not building straight or strong
- They did not stay on the Nest
But...
It was an original idea
... that took teamwork
... planning
... problem-solving skills
... flexible thinking, and
... failing and trying again
And, now that the impressive structure is finished,
not only are we continuing to be flexible in how we move around the room and use our space, but ...
We are wondering how many of these cubes their actually are...
How will we figure that out? (Stay tuned!)
Yes. Rules are important — to achieve a certain goal.
When the children revealed a new goal to the teachers, we felt free to let them break the rules!
