Sunday 4 November 2012

Trouble In Paradise

You know I love my job right?

Good. Didn't want you to forget how much I am enjoying my time in the kindergarten room.

Can I tell you that it's not always sweet tea and butterflies?

It can be fun, stimulating, humorous, and it sure can be sweet tea and butterflies-BUT. It can be challenging. It can be tiresome. It can be the sound of wet hands on a balloon. (That's my analogy for really freaking annoying.) That probably sounds harsh. I don't mean it to be, and despite the fact that at times it seems like a little mosquito is buzzing in my ear while I'm in my tent trying to fall asleep-I still don't swat those mosquitoes! :) Instead-redirection is the key. I know that when the play turns to silliness-and we have boys rolling on the ground in the block center-they are secretly screaming "CHALLENGE ME!!!" So. Challenge we do.

The block center is where most things that are annoying in my opinion, happen. These things aren't actually annoying. They are just annoying to me in the moment because I want them to be learning something-and they don't seem to want to do anything but call each other "poo poo head" and make helicopter gun noises. This is where the next idea came in.

We have been struggling in the past 2 weeks with a lot of nonsense going on in the blocks. Lots of gun noises (no weapons at school), lots of name calling in a really silly manner, lots of rolling around, ruining other peoples creations!

We thought this could help solve our problems. (We were right)


 
 
It's a book-full of structures. Many structures from our world (The Eiffel Tower, London Bridge) many structures from our country (Scotiabank Place, The CN Tower), and a few structures from our own community (Our school, our local bank). I found pictures on the Internet, and made a little book. Laminated and did a little binding, and added it to the block center. So far- SOOOO good. They knew automatically what they should do. Look through the book-decide-plan-build! It is really amazing to see what they are coming up with!
 
 
It has been super for teaching cooperation naturally because they all decide on one structure they want to create and work together to make it look like the picture. They also have been asking questions like "What is this one?" I got to explain to them it was an arena in Ottawa-that housed one of our Canadian Hockey Teams! We talked about how long it takes to drive to Ottawa from where we live-and we talked about how mad their dads were that "the hockey players don't want to play hockey unless they make like 150 bucks a game-so they are having a break."
 
Seriously. That happened. I love their interpretations of adult conversations.
 
We also discussed which structure was the biggest. Two kids told me about when they saw the CN tower on TV.
 
I gave my camera out again-and had a child take a picture of the hotel they were designing. There is a picture of a hotel in the book-and they did an amazing job recreating it!
 
 
The hotel in the book was very pyramid-y looking. (That's my own word-but you can borrow it if you see fit). I was amazed at their ability to get that right in their own structure. I'm not sure why I continue to be amazed by these things-because I know that we have a class full of little geniuses!
 
Try it. If you are having annoying problems in your block center-I beg you try this approach. It worked for us-and I'd bet it would work for you too.
 
Can We Build It? the book is mosquito repellent!
 
 
 
 

 


126 comments:

  1. Can you send me a copy of this book. It's awesome! ljostiak@shaw.ca
    Thanks Meagan :)

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  2. I love this! My kids right now are obsessed with ramps and tubes in the block area, but when they are finished exploring ramps, I am totally going to make one of these books to put there! Thank you for this wonderful idea!
    Darla Myers

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  3. This is a fabulous idea. Thanks so much.

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  4. I love this idea. My thinking is like yours, a lot of chaos in my room occurs in block center. This is an great alternative to just closing the center. My new class starts September 9th and I will be adding this to my block center introduction. THANK YOU!!!!

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  5. This is great. I teach grade 1 so not play-based, but we do have blocks in the room and things can get silly... Bonus that I just started materials and structures and that I teach very close to Canadian Tire Centre. Thanks!

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  6. Can you please send me a copy of the book? hollytreebrentwood@gmail.com Thanks!

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  7. Can you please send me a copy of this book teeganw@hotmail.com

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  8. Please send me a copy also. Abc123daycare38544@yahoo.com. Thanks

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  9. This is fabulous. Can you please send me a copy at amandatelenko@hotmail.com thanks!

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  10. Can I have a copy of the book pls? vivienlew@yahoo.com thanks!

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  11. Hi there!

    Ok teaching grade 1 and think this would be perfect for some hands on learning opportunities as well as a good connection to science units on materials and structures. Any chance you could send me a copy?
    landogibso@gmail.com

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  12. I love your book. Can you please send me a copy of it?

    Thanks,
    mfuller1973@gmail.com

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  13. Could you please send me a copy of the pictures you used in your Can We Build It? book? I would appreciate it so much...thank you. foresterfamily@verizon.net
    Georgeann

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  14. This is great! Can you please send me a copy at emmafclarke@gmail.com thanks!

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  15. This is a great idea! Would is possible to get a copy as well? Thank you so much! annie_starfish@hotmail.com

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  16. Can I get a copy as well?
    bunnybfunny@gmail.com
    Thank you!!

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  17. I would love a copy of this book. I am just starting an inquiry in our block centre as I am trying to change our environment to be a richer learning experience and the block centre is really in need of a deeper play based learning experience. Thank you I would certainly appreciate a copy.

    lenawildman@bell.net

    Thanks for a great idea to start with - Lena

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  18. Love the ideas. Can you send me a copy of the book also??
    juanitarigsby@hotmail.com

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  19. Please send me a copy of the book? Working with preschoolers and needing ideas! KristaLyn323@aol.com

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  20. I'm just starting more block work ideas for my kindy kids too and love this idea! If I could get a copy of the book too I'd really appreciate it. gandrjepson@gmail.com

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  21. I love that! Can you send me a copy of the book please. venessaroy@live.fr

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  22. I love your book idea! Would you please send me a copy of it. Thank you!!

    teramorgan1@yahoo.com

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  23. This is just the solution I have been searching for in my block area! Could you please send me a copy? Thank you so much!

    cryan@hamden.org

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  24. Love it pliss send me a copy wvazquezz@yahoo.com

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  25. Can you please send me a copy? What a great idea!! ryanmc5@suddenlink.net

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  26. Could I have a copy? Love the idea candisparsons@gmail.com

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  27. I would also love a copy
    melissabretzlaff@hotmail.com

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  28. Can you please send this to me at ginapersiano@gmail.com
    Thank you

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  29. Hello! Love the idea book! Could you please send me a copy of it? michelle.bussiere@publicboard.ca. Thank you!

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  30. Such a fab idea!! I would love a copy, orlaosullivan123@gmail.com
    Thank you! :)

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  31. If you're sending out copies I would love one :) abbott_carina@durham.edu.on.ca

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  32. This is just what I've been looking for! Could I get a copy at sandy@csu.fullerton.edu

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  33. Can you send me a copy please.? It fabulous

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  34. Me too please!
    Karla_Bristow@hotmail.com

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  35. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  36. Can you please send me a copy of this book? Angela1.perry@gmail.com Thanks!

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  37. I too would love a copy of your book. Thank you very much for sharing. kellydube16@gmail.com

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  38. Great Idea!! I love the use of cultural structures!
    Id love a copy of this book as well. We are starting a building study in the classroom and this would be an amazing addition to block center.
    Nmorton76@yahoo.com
    Thank you for sharing.

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  39. I would love a copy too- great idea! I also live in Ottawa.
    laura.wallace@ocdsb.ca

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  40. Awesome! Can I PLEASE have a copy? This is great!
    chaparro.isandra@gmail.com

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  41. I would love a copy! kackles17@gmail.com

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  42. Will be new to prek next year, and I AM SCARED!!!!! Not been with under three footers in over 10 years. Would LOVE a copy of your book to add some local structures to. THANKS!! tracycook79@gmail.com

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  43. Awesome idea! Could I get a copy too please? moshercatherine80@gmail.com

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  44. You should make this available to teachers at teacherspayteachers website!

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  45. I too am requesting this fabulous book- we are in the midst of a building inquiry and this would be great! Thanks
    Cheryl

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  46. This is an awesome idea! I wonder if you would mind sending me this book also.
    Thanks so much Rochelle
    rochelle.stephen7@gmail.com

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  47. I would love a copy as well. Please send to nhulbert4@gmail.com..Ty!

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  48. Fantastic idea would love to use the book in my class. Please send a copy to eva.dandrea@hotmail.com

    Thanks so much

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  49. please send me a copy of this book at shellymartin777@gmail.com

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  50. Can you please send me a copy of the block building book? Thanks so much! sspigelmire@hotmail.com

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  51. Great idea. I would love a copy of this book. Thanks!! cbean@moreland.org

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  52. Fantastic, would love to extend children's learning with this booklet, if you are able to email a copy to; creative.kids@iinet.net.au

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  53. I would love to have a copy of your book! It would be a wonderful addition to our block center! My email is kree999@alice.it

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  54. Love this! Could you please send me a copy? Thank you so much! Bseals322@yahoo.com

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  55. Could you send me a copy of your book? Love this! Thanks for sharing!
    kinsley4409@gmail.com

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  56. Could you send me a copy of your book? Love this! Thanks for sharing!
    kinsley4409@gmail.com

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  57. Could you send me a copy of your book? Love this! Thanks for sharing!
    kinsley4409@gmail.com

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  58. Could you please send me a copy of your book? It would be greatly appreciated! It is so awesome!

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  59. What a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing! Could you please send me a copy of this book at Mejamom@yahoo.com

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  60. What a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing! Could you please send me a copy of this book at Mejamom@yahoo.com

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  61. Love your book idea and I FULLY agree that the block centre can be very troublesome. I've been looking for ideas to help me out in this area. Could you pls send a copy of your book to: nicole.carron@sccdsb.net
    Thanks in advance!
    Nicole

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  62. What an awesome idea, could I have a copy as well. Thank you!! Stellc14@comcast.net

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  63. What an awesome idea, could I have a copy as well. Thank you!! Stellc14@comcast.net

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  64. What an awesome idea, could I have a copy as well. Thank you!! Stellc14@comcast.net

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  65. If you are sending copies of your book, could you please send one to me? tkckbryan@verizon.net. I'd love to give my pre-k's some ideas on what to build! Thank you so much!

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  66. I would love to receive a copy of your "Can we build it?" book. Thank you. jeanwise66@gmail.com

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  67. Could I have a copy too? Love this idea! jowens@alta-aurelia.k12.ia.us

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  68. We have something along this idea but it's in two separate books. I like that this one is all together! I would love a copy of your "Can we build it?" book. Thanks,
    tkimball@greenwichacademy.org

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  69. Love this idea! Could I get a copy of your "Can we build it book?" Thank you.
    kelleycurte34@gmail.com

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  70. We just started a study of buildings, could I please get a copy of the book too?
    lweaver_02@hotmail.com
    Thanks!

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  71. Amazing idea. Please may you send me a copy of this book. candidoodi@hotmail.com Thanks

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  72. That is an amazing idea! I would love to use it with my kindergarten enrichment kiddos. Could you send me a copy? My email is jstrath103@yahoo.com.

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  73. That is an amazing idea! I would love to use it with my kindergarten enrichment kiddos. Could you send me a copy? My email is jstrath103@yahoo.com.

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  74. please send a copy jjkoontz75@gmail.com

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  75. Could you please send me a copy of your "Can We Build It?" book? My email is naturestreasureschilcare@gmail.com Thanks:)

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  76. Please send me a copy of your "Can We Build it." Brilliant ideas. milesruby77@yahoo.com

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  77. Will you send me a copy of your block book please

    kosharem@yahoo.com

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  78. Will you send me a copy of your block book as well? treinkemeyer@cpsk12.org
    Thanks!

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  79. wow, just what I have been thinking about...if you are sharing: adny28@yahoo.com

    thanks in advance : )

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  80. Would love a copy please! natgirl11@hotmail.com

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  81. Would you mind sending me a copy of your book? It is so cute and amazing! lillypadilly@yahoo.com

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  82. If you wouldn't mind, I'd love a copy! scruz5391@gmail.com

    Thanks!

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  83. Great idea. Would you please send a copy. jackie11218@yahoo.com
    Thanks a million!

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  84. This is a great idea! Could you send me a copy at klepper.alicia@gmail.com? Thank you!

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  85. Could you send me a copy as well, ewmaggiemoos@gmail.com

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  86. This is wonderful! Can you send me a copy please? rachel.harris0208@gmail.com Thank you! :)

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  87. Love your architecture book idea! Could you please send me a copy of your book? erin.mikels@gmail.com Thanks!

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  88. Looks great! Are you still sharing? sutton1@sympatico.ca

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  89. This is a great idea. Can you please send me a copy? kirsten_barrett@hotmail.com
    Thanks!

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  90. Love this idea, can I get a copy as well? Thanks
    cmatheson24@gmail.com

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  91. I too love this idea and would like a copy of your book. My email address is creekmouse@hotmail.com
    Thanks, Valerie

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  92. I too love this idea and would like a copy of your book. My email address is creekmouse@hotmail.com
    Thanks, Valerie

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  93. Great idea! Would like a copy of your book. florenciagentile@gmail.com

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  94. Great idea! Would like a copy of your book. florenciagentile@gmail.com

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  95. I love this and would love a copy. My email is eckartsn@telusplanet.net

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  96. Could I have a copy please
    amyainley@hotmail.co.uk
    Thanks

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  97. I love this idea! Jf its not too much trouble could you please email me a copy.My email address is nursery@cheerful.com.Many thanks

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  98. I absolutely need this book for Pre-K! Can you send it to me? :) guinn.charity@unionps.org

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  99. I would love a copy too if available taramckernin@bell.net

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  100. I would be very grateful for a copy also if available. Many thanks.
    veronica.willox@sky.com

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  101. I would love a copy, Rossana.damiani@tdsb.on.ca

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  102. If you are willing to share, I would love a copy. jogrey29@gmail.com. Thank you.

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  103. I would love to have a copy of this book is possible, lauramccann28@hotmail.co.uk thanks :)

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  104. I would love to have a copy of this book. It sounds fantastic
    JasmineGilbert.0@gmail.com

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  105. I would love to have a copy of this book. It sounds fantastic
    JasmineGilbert.0@gmail.com

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  106. I would love a copy of your book Can We Build It? My email is bobbiejonelson@outlook.com. Thank you so much! Bobbie

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  107. This is amazing!! Can you please send a copy of the book to oschafferius@thelakes.qld.edu.au ?
    Thanks :)

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  108. What a fabulous idea I too would love a copy of the book is there a link or like everyone else here is my email. Thanks so much for your creative idea to encourage children to build.
    zsister3@hotmail.com
    Thanks

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  109. I would love a copy of the book Can We Build It. Please email me at barbcollins4125@yahoo.com Thanks

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  110. This is such an excellent idea! I have a group of boys that would get so much out of this! I would also love a copy of this book! Thanks!!
    stephgrima@hotmail.com

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  111. I love this idea! Just started a unit on structures! Could you send me a copy of the book at christopher.anissa@gmail.com? Thanks!!

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  112. Thought provoking for little minds, unleash their inner architect and imaginations. Would love a copy of the book if possible pease. To tracy.higson@hotmail.com thankyou

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  113. I would love a copy of this book too...my block centre needs to change..this idea is amazing! Reenap2@hotmail.com

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  114. This is great! Can you please send me a copy at freetail@gmail.com thanks

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  115. Love it! Can I have a copy of this also? crystaldelaine@nhcs.net

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  116. An awesome motivator!... can I access a copy of the book online? Thank you!...

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  117. Can I Please have copy of this book? My boys in my class would love this!flygal0224@gmail.com

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  118. Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea with me. I would love to have a copy of this book. You may send it to viretaw@gmail.com


    Thanks again.

    Vireta

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  119. Love this! Can you please send me a copy of the book? stephmoore66@hotmail.com Thank you!

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  120. Can you please send me a copy of the book? kimmi1963@yahoo.com Thank you

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  121. I love this, can you lease send me a copy of the book? Vlewis@slpsb.org

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  122. Hey,

    Can I please get a copy of this booklet. My Kindergarteners love to build towers and structures. Email: farah.moinuddin@tdsb.on.ca Thank you in advance.

    ReplyDelete