Dollar Daze and Thrifty Finds: Box It!

The Box It! Activities have now been updated....and a

new challenge for April 2010

has been posted below...

Ideas to consider--

There are a variety of boxes (wooden, paper, large, small)

available for purchase at the Dollar Store

that can be used for a variety of activities. Recycle

shoe boxes as well as constructing your own box from

discarded cardboard boxes.

1. Biome in a Box

Select and research a biome.

Create a "Biome in a Box" to illustrate:

the flora and fauna found within the biome as well as the

relationship between the living organisms.

Use found/recycled material and a shoe box.

An excellent source of information for students and

resources for teachers is

http://oneocean.cbc.ca/pledge

A written component to accompany Biome in a Box can include:

Creating a Newspaper Advertisement--Home Wanted

Identify an Organism

Description of Location/Biome

Basic Characteristics of the Home Desired

Other Interesting Information related to Home Ownership

Contact Info. -- Name and Description of Resident seeking Home

2. The faces of the box can act as story boards.

3. The Box can act as a time capsule/memory box--

http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/memory-boxes-0704

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/memory-box

Decorate the box and enclose10 items that would give insight

into the character of a novel and his/her conflict.

State why each item was chosen to enclose in the box.

4. Make a Pin Hole Camera with a Juice Box

see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnnHjz8pF1M&feature=related

The project has applications in a variety of subject areas:

eg. Science--the physics of light

Art--perspective

English--story telling

5. Thrift is Best!

Recyle an old polaroid camera to create a Pin Hole Camera

see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PrYuYp9ORY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnrEA6rZk6Y&NR=1

5. Bloom is Reinvented

Utilize the Power of Bloom's Taxonomy to ask Smart Questions

How? Cubing

To address Differentiated Instruction

Retrieve a printable template of a cube

Build the box with a recyled cardboard box.

See the links below for some excellent ideas

http://www.eht.k12.nj.us/~jonesj/Differentiated%20Instruction/Cubing.htm

The sides of the cubes can each have a challenge activity developed using Bloom's Taxonomy.

Students can select from a variety of activies that will have them producing/creating products based on their preference, interest, to demonstrate learning.

6. Cut open a box

See: http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/surprise-photo-explosion-box
This looks like a great way to illustrate a process or outcome--what a student has learned...
Your imagination will guide you.

7. Design a Box
Kiss My Face is a company that manufactures
natural and organic skin care products.
Their packaging is interesting...It is 50% post
consumer recycled material.
In an effort to "do a good thing for the environment and to eliminate
printed brochures they have printed product information on
the outside and inside of the box. The flap on the box
makes reference to "thinking inside of the box" and
inviting you to visit http://www.kissmyface.com/

This promoted me to think about a student assignment....
1. Discuss the importance of reduced packaging to the the environment.
2. Select an organic product and design a box for it.
3. Use the "Kiss My Face" box as an exemplar.

4. Another Box Design could be a Condom Package...
Appropriate for Senior Health and Phy. Ed. Classes
Base the assignment on the concept
designed by The Centre for Biological Diversity.
http://sciencetrio.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/cover-your-tweedle-save-the-burrying-beetle/