A Construction Job for Jungle Class: Making CGK’s Sign
Preschool
August 11, 2018
Jungle class (age 3) received a job request.
Their task was to make a sign for CGK.
Their theme that month was “Construction Worker.” Through songs and making tool belts, the children learned about construction work and the tools used on the job.
To bring that learning together, they took on the real task of making CGK’s sign.
Wearing smocks, handmade tool belts and safety helmets, everyone listened carefully to the explanation of the day’s work.
On the first day, the jobs were painting the sign and making the letters to attach to it. We divided into two groups and began.
The painting group learned how to use paintbrushes as well as how to paint within the lines.
The lettering group carefully glued buttons in their chosen colors along the outlines of the letters.
On the second day, teachers worked with the children to attach the letters and sign to the base using an electric drill. Putting on their helmets brought excited expressions, although some children looked nervous when their turn with the drill arrived. Once the attachment was complete, their tension gave way to satisfied smiles.
At the teachers’ initial class meeting, the plan had been simply to use a drill to put screws into a wooden board. We wanted children learning tool vocabulary in Job Training to have a hands-on experience too. But someone said, “That alone is not very interesting!”, and the sign project began. It became much larger than originally planned, but teachers always prepare with the children’s enjoyment in mind. Thinking up enjoyable experiences for them is often part of the fun for us too.
Jungle’s finished sign was first unveiled at the Summer Festival and was then displayed at CGK’s entrance.
Their task was to make a sign for CGK.
Their theme that month was “Construction Worker.” Through songs and making tool belts, the children learned about construction work and the tools used on the job.
To bring that learning together, they took on the real task of making CGK’s sign.
Wearing smocks, handmade tool belts and safety helmets, everyone listened carefully to the explanation of the day’s work.
On the first day, the jobs were painting the sign and making the letters to attach to it. We divided into two groups and began.
The painting group learned how to use paintbrushes as well as how to paint within the lines.
The lettering group carefully glued buttons in their chosen colors along the outlines of the letters.
On the second day, teachers worked with the children to attach the letters and sign to the base using an electric drill. Putting on their helmets brought excited expressions, although some children looked nervous when their turn with the drill arrived. Once the attachment was complete, their tension gave way to satisfied smiles.
At the teachers’ initial class meeting, the plan had been simply to use a drill to put screws into a wooden board. We wanted children learning tool vocabulary in Job Training to have a hands-on experience too. But someone said, “That alone is not very interesting!”, and the sign project began. It became much larger than originally planned, but teachers always prepare with the children’s enjoyment in mind. Thinking up enjoyable experiences for them is often part of the fun for us too.
Jungle’s finished sign was first unveiled at the Summer Festival and was then displayed at CGK’s entrance.
Author Profile
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Reiko - Services and Community Coordinator (Japan)
Reiko joined CGK’s founding team in 2016, bringing seven years of experience in licensed nursery schools in Japan and six years across two international preschools. She has also volunteered at a daycare in Canada and has held preschool leadership roles at CGK, including Principal and Vice Principal.
A qualified nursery teacher and holder of a Class 2 kindergarten teaching license in Japan, Reiko values each child’s interests and strengths. Drawing on her experience in multicultural early childhood settings, she supports an environment where children can explore new interests through hands-on experiences and express themselves in their own way.