The “I Can Make It Myself” Set • A set of cards to print and display for children to use without adult support as inspiration for what to make with craft resources • Literacy links- using instructions in a practical context • Design, art and junk modelling links-hands on making • Independent play • Open ended- children have artistic license to extend the idea and adapt it making links to other skills and experiences • Follow up with a discussion of how they did it/ what went well/ what they could do to make it even better A set of 4 open ended makes that open up a wide range of possibilities for how children expand upon the original idea. Tried and tested in real classrooms with real children of a range of abilities, these are basic skills that let children use their imagination. They free children from relying on templates and encourage them to make it from scratch all by themeselves. (We trust our children to use the stapler after teaching them how to be careful with it.) After teaching a child the simple method for making her own boxes she amazed me by cutting a hole in the bottom and inserting a lolly stick with a beautifully drawn and carefully cut out person stuck to it and declaring she made a 'jack in the box'. Characteristics of effective learning in action! Why not send them home as fun homework? Laminate them for display or put them together as a book of inspiration for children to look through. A great resource for imaginative fun. The set includes: *binoculars *watch *puppet *box

****FUN FUN FUN***** A fantastic resource to liven up your maths table/centre/area/corner -Beautiful ready made signs with questions to challenge/ extend thinking -Ideas for how to play -Extra resources to make the activity look inviting and a simple list of what you need to add, including a simple playdough recipe A tried and tested game that has been very popular and encouraged some great discussion. A fun, playful context for counting and using mathematical language Links to the EYFS curriculum in the UK include Beginning to be interested in and describe the texture of things/ counting/ recognising numbers/ reading simple sentences/ talk about or ask questions about the world around them. DON'T HAVE BORING MATHS OR BORING DOUGH- GET'DOUGH MUCH MORE'!