The Curious Corner collects
My Curious Collection
Summary
This activity encourages children to collect, make or draw a collection of objects and to use their imagination to think or what their objects could be called, where they came from and what they do.
Rationale
Just like in the collection of random objects from The Powerhouse Museum collections found in artist Shaun Tan’s ‘Odditoreum’ exhibition which toured to the library in 2012 the children are creating their own collection of random objects. This process aims to focus on providing the children with their own personal agency over their collection. It also aims to challenge and develop their creative and abstract thinking and communication skills.
Key Concepts
Collecting, found objects, random objects, responding, imagining, creating, communicating
Key Language
Collect, imagine, create, share, ideas, objects
Materials
Glue sticks, sticky tape, Craft materials, Textas, pencils, found objects, recycled materials, textured fabrics, natural objects such as feathers, shells, leaves etc.
Activity Steps
Step 1: An introduction
Introduce this activity by starting a discussion around Museums and the types of objects Museums collect. This might be a great activity to use in conjunction with a Museum visit or as a follow up activity. To familiarize the children with the nature of the Museum you might like to ask them to help you investigate Museums to learn more. This is easily done on the internet or in museum publications. Finding pictures of collections from Museums will be most useful.
Step 2: Collecting
Give the children a copy of the ‘My Curious Collection’ template as pictured below
Explain to the children that they will be collecting four small things to place in the boxes of the template to create their collection. Tell the children they could use things that they find such as recycled materials, craft materials, and natural materials found outside. Emphasize that each of them are to make their very own collection.
Questions you could ask:-
What types of things do you think you might like to put in your collections?
What else could you use?
Step 3: Responding and Imagining
Once the children have their collection of objects initiate a conversation about what their objects are and what they could be.
Questions to ask:-
What objects have you found?
Do you know what your objects are used for?
What do you think they could be for?
Step 4: Creating
Ask the children to use their imaginations to think of quirky, funny or interesting things that their objects could be and what would they name each object. Show them some pre prepared examples.
Questions to ask:-
If your objects could be anything you like what would they be?
What would they be used for?
What would you like to call each object of your collection?
Once the children have thought about what their collection is made up of ask them to place, tape or glue their objects in their boxes and then help them to label each object beneath each box.
Step 5: Documenting your collection/s
If you have access to a camera help the children to document and record their collection by photographing their collection.
Step 6: Communicating and Sharing
To conclude allow the children the opportunity to show and tell their collections to the other children explaining what their collection is made up of and what the objects have been named/labeled.
Tips
- Depending on if the objects are 3 dimensional the children may only be able to place the objects in each box without gluing or pasting the objects down. This is when the camera is handy to capture and document their collections.
- When collecting or creating 1 or 2 dimensional collections, Children may use a combination of drawing and collage and in this case use glue of tape to attach the objects to the page
Useful links
The Powerhouse Museum
The Odditoreum
Why Kids Collect Things
Reverse Garbage
Last updated: 16th July 2013
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