Prep Students are only limited by the limits put on them by others. Young children can do amazing things as long as they clearly understand what they have to do!
Our current Inquiry is Toy Story.
The Central Idea is:
Toys have changed over time due to technology.
The lines of inquiry that will define the scope of the inquiry into the central idea is:
Technology has changed toys over time.
Toys are made from a variety of material and in different ways.
Socio-economic access to toys.
Last year we did this inquiry and were amazed by how the children responded.
To date:
Today the children had an introduction into the socio-economic aspect of toys. We arranged for a member of the Salvation Army to come and speak to our Preps about why some children don’t have toys. The children listened attentively and caringly to the Salvation Army Captain. From this it was decided that the Preps would have a Toy Drive and ask the rest of the school to help. Last week these same children participated in the Feed Melbourne Campaign and learnt about why some children come to school without breakfast. These are very young children who are already developing a sense of how they can make a difference in the lives of others.
Soon we will be starting to design and make our own toys. To support this we have been teaching the Primary Science ‘On the Move’ unit. Last year this was an immensely successful and enjoyable learning task. I have included photos of a child’s design brief and toy completed last year. The children actually followed their design to make their toy. We made the experience as authentic as possible.
To celebrate their success and to give our students the opportunity to share their understanding with others, the Preps will hold their own Toy Expo. Parents and students are invited to question and admire the designs and toys. A request for a gold coin donation is given, with the money raised given to the Salvation Army along with the collected toys.
Cheers Nina
Nina Davis: Teaching & Learning in Australia 
This is a great approach. Could you please forward me any supporting documents so that we could look at doing something along this line of inquiry.
Cheers Julie
I love your enginuity. I would love to use the templates you used for this toy story unit with my engineering class. It’s an adorable idea. Do you have a site where you sell templates?
Hi Danielle,
No, I don’t have a site. I share anything I have! I don’t believe in teaching selling their work. We are a profession that should share and support each other as part of our practise.
Cheers Nina