Paper Chains

I planned on using paper chains throughout this month to review patterns, assuming we would add a little bit to it each day during our whole group time. But the kids showed interest in it during center choices time as well, and so I gladly turned the activity over to them.

The process of making a paper chain takes some fine motor skills and problem solving. Threading and then curving the paper, ripping and then placing the tape- it all takes some practice. Selecting the appropriate color to complete the pattern also takes some thought and planning.

Once the chains started to form, the students were eager to begin hanging them around the classroom as a decoration. Our clothespin art display was currently empty, so that worked perfectly. This added a whole new element to their play, as displaying each chain side-by-side  really highlighted their length. Several kids started talking about how long or short their chain was, and a somewhat friendly competition began over making the longest chain.

I decided to continue on with this interest at our next class by making "name chains." We practiced our names using the strips by putting the letters in order and then writing each letter, before making them into chains.

Later we compared the sizes of the chains and counted the letters in each person's name to confirm which one was the longest and shortest, and if any were the same. It worked really well for using math vocabulary for measurement and comparing numbers.

I was really glad that their interests led me to think beyond my initial plans for how to use the chains. I love it when that happens.