Constructing a Classroom

Here are some wonderful quotes by Jean Piaget and Seymour Papert, along with photos from my classroom. I first heard about tinker trays, tinker totes, and tinker tins from Angela Stockman. You can find lots of examples on Pinterest. I've added a few more ideas ... tinker tables, tinker tins, tinker tubs, tinker trolleys, building bins, and textile tubs. I just love the alliteration; it's so catchy! Lots of fun storage for everything from popsicle sticks to Ozobots, but it's also a way of teaching kids to work within constraints (i.e. only use pre-selected materials from the tinker tray).

Every time we teach a child something, we keep him from inventing it himself. On the other hand, that which we allow him to discover for himself will remain with him visible for the rest of his life.
​- Jean Piaget

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​Rather than pushing children to think like adults, we might do better to remember that they are great learners and to try harder to be more like them.
- Seymour Papert

​Play is the work of childhood.
- Jean Piaget

We imagine a school in which students and teachers excitedly and joyfully stretch themselves to their limits in pursuit of projects built on their vision.
- Seymour Papert