Looking to integrate more play and creativity into your classroom? If so, you might want to check out story workshop using loose parts! It's a fantastic way to encourage your students to explore their imagination and express their ideas in fun and meaningful ways, regardless of their age or skill level.
To help you get started, we invited Marissa, a passionate French Immersion teacher and loose parts expert, to share her story workshop cart and tips for building a successful loose parts program in your school.
With over 70 bins of loose parts and a variety of backgrounds, Marissa's story workshop cart has become a popular and practical resource for her students and colleagues. By using clear stackable bins and a sign-up system, Marissa ensures that her students have easy access to the materials they need and are responsible for cleaning up after themselves.
To create your own story workshop cart using loose parts, Marissa suggests starting small and building your collection over time. You can also pilot the project in your own classroom first and use your success stories to persuade your school, district, or parent council to invest in more loose parts for your students.
According to Marissa, "Everything is a loose part. It's anything small that can be manipulated and can be explored." So, whether you're using shells, buttons, sticks, or legos, you can encourage your students to think creatively and engage with the world around them in a new and exciting way.
To learn more about story workshop using loose parts and Marissa's tips on using loose parts on a budget, check out this episode of Kindergarten Simple. Plus, don't miss the chance to join Marissa at Camp Kinder this summer and attend her masterclass on loose parts. You'll learn all about storage, where to buy loose parts, how to get started, and other creative ways to use loose parts in your classroom
Learn more about Camp Kinder and get on the waitlist for early bird pricing here: campkinder.ca
Connect with Marissa:
Blog: https://www.mmemarissa.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmemarissa