The Lion, The Mouse & Loose Parts

When I taught Grade 3 we did a unit on Folktales, Fables & Fairytales, exploring narratives from around the world and those that authors had fractured, telling from the perspective of another character etc. Recently the kids received this beautiful wordless version of the Lion & the Mouse and we decided to use the dust jacket as a creative prompt.  

If you teach in the Toronto area Coaches Corner EY (Early Years) is offering a PLAYSHOP on Loose Parts where you can learn more about how to incorporate this into your classroom setting rooted in literacy and equity based practices to meet the diverse needs of early learners:  

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkwUyXZgAOf/?hl=en&taken-by=coachescornerey

https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/coaches-corner-ey-17524906595

Materials

• Circular canvases
• Paint (we used gold and silver)
• Paint brushes
• Loose parts (Use what you have, here are a few suggestions: yarn, marbles, chenille sticks, pom poms, wooden parts/sticks, gems)

We always find these items helpful too:

• Smock
• Craft tray

Directions

• Don your smock.  Paint your bases and allow them to dry overnight.

• We cut the dust cover of the book as a visual inspiration and added a bit of text, propping them on a book stand.

• Set out your bases or pop them in a tray (to catch any stray parts) and then create your Lion and your Mouse using loose parts.

• Take a photo of your designed creation and make then make another!

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Purpose

• Experimenting with designing, tinkering etc..  These kind of projects lend to exploring concepts such symmetry, patterning etc.

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you wear a smock and use a craft tray to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors with care and adult supervision.
• Cord, yarn etc. can be a strangulation hazard, therefore be sure to use with direct supervision and for its intended purpose.
• Small parts can be a choking hazard therefore be sure to keep them out of the reach of children ages 0-3 years of age or those that tend to put things into their mouths.