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Loose parts nature play

There are a number of picture books for preschool children that support LOOSE PARTS PLAY. 

Here is a sample of books:

Stick and stone by Beth Ferry 

Faces by Zoe Miller

The Bot that Scot Built by Kim Norman

Not a stick by Antoinette Portis

The magnificent thing by Ashley Spires

Mattland by Hazel Hutchins and Gail Herbert

The little red fort by Brenda Maier 

When I build with blocks by Niki Alling

Fraidyzoo by Thyra Heder

The bottom box by Margarette Reid

Something from nothing by Foebe Gilman

Charlie's house by Reviva Schermbrucker

On my beach there are many pebbles by Leo Leonni

If you find a rock by Peggy Christian

Rhoda's Rock Hunt by Molly Beth Griffin

The line up book by Marisabina Russo

More by I.C. Springman

If rocks could sing by Leslie McGuirk

Scraps by Lois Ehlert

Roxaboxen by Alice Mclerran

Andrew Henry's meadow by Doris Burn

STEP 1. View these pictures with your students: Art with Repurposed materials 

 Ask them 

• what do they see
• how these images are made out of
• where have they seen similar materials 

STEP 2. Go for a walk to collect loose parts or ask students to bring their own items, or recyclable materials to create the image they decided to work on. They will work in groups. 

-First they should discuss what their image will be. 

They will justify the reason they choose to create a certain image. 

-Discuss what additional materials they would need for its completion, eg glue, etc

-How will they start, what would be the steps?

STEP 3. The children create the image using the loose parts. The process could take several days. Is the final image as they envisioned it? Did they change it as they would progress? 

STEP 4. Take photos of the image on an IPAD. Download the following app to create several drawings on the image

STEP 1. Go for a walk with your students. Gather nature loose parts, such as sticks, leaves, pebbles, etc. 

STEP 2. Classify them according to their size, colour, etc. Use egg cartoons, muffin trays, checker boards, ice cubes trays,  etc.

STEP 3. Consider mathematical tools to extend play.

Number and Operations—arrays, number lines, dominoes, yard dice, calendar numbers, sticks, milk or applesauce lids, ten frame, dice, fabric 100s chart

Geometry and Spatial Sensing—frames, 2D and 3D shapes (both found and from a set), attribute blocks, mirrors

Measurement—rulers, yardsticks, ribbons, yarn, rope, measuring tapes, sand timers, digital timers, scales, trundle wheel, balances, sticks and ropes in standards sizes (feet, two feet, yard, six feet for COVID)

Patterns and Algebraic Reasoning—pattern blocks, game pieces 

 Displaying and Analyzing Data—garden lattice, tally sheets

General Items—chalk, wooden planks, milk crates, light colored fabric squares, recyclables, sticks, rocks, acorns, sweet gum balls, driftwood, pine needles, mark making tools and paper

STEP 4. Betime math app is a wonderful application.