Buffer activities

Buffer activities are useful during projects— activities that  kids can do with little assistance which (at their best) contribute in some way to the bigger theme of “community” Buffer activities make early project-doing go well.

1. Buffer activities any classroom can contribute to (these are done in addition, not in place of a project).

A.    Each class contributes a shoe box “float” for a school celebration “parade” (a display in the front of the school for all to enjoy.)

B.    Stories for a book. Any student who wants to writes (or dictates) an essay and contributes pictures of “My Best Day in School”. This   can be a look back or a look forward.

C.    May Day paper flower baskets. Kids make nosegays from paper and these are collected for distribution through the neighborhood   with a “hello neighbor” note. Might go with 2N below.

D.     Venn Friends. Involves a short get-together within a class and/or between classes. Kids partner with someone and draw two           overlapping circles labeled with participants’ names to create a Venn diagram. They discuss a list of preferences (Mary has a list)         and put them in appropriate spots on the circle. Examples: Do you prefer the Beavers or the Ducks? Summer or winter? Dogs or         cats?

E.    Make butterflies or other art (a la Susan) for the fence on 30th.

F.    Fill out a kid-generated survey. Results could be tabulated and graphed.

G.    Make cards or pictures for the residents at the rehabilitation center.

H.    Keep a list of all wildlife (birds, insects, etc.) that has been spotted on campus. This could become a master list. Kids might want to  sketch the wildlife. What are some ways we can attract wildlife to our campus?