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Eleanor
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| Posted: Aug 12 2007 at 4:50pm | IP Logged
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I thought it might be helpful for us to have a general discussion of ideas for making classroom furniture and storage items out of plain old corrugated cardboard. As a construction material, it has a lot of advantages: it's natural, it's lightweight and easy to work with, it's reasonably durable, and it's free. 
Of course, to cover up its humble origins, cardboard has to be carefully painted or papered to make it attractive. Even after doing that, I'm not sure I'd want to use it when aesthetics are particularly important (e.g., for display boxes), though perhaps those with a more artistic streak might have more success with this. In any case, it does seem well suited to some of the more utilitarian classroom items, for instance:
- "False fronts" for shelves, to keep toddlers or small visitors away from the learning materials when they aren't in use (these panels can also be covered in felt, to make a felt board)
- A storage case for the movable alphabet (MM's first one was handmade out of an old box; the fancy wood ones came later)
- Dividers for display boxes
- Cabinets for geometry, botany, maps, etc.
- Display stands for metal insets, fraction circles, etc.
Here are some links I've found with advice on designing, cutting, fastening, and decorating corrugated cardboard, as well as some furniture patterns that could be adapted to the classroom.
Build it with Cardboard -- has a pattern for a box, as well as lots of interesting photos and general tips
FoldSchool -- patterns for modern-style children's stool and chair (European site, uses thick single-layer cardboard; I'm not sure if this type of cardboard is readily available in North America)
Cardboard Chair FAQ -- a sturdy armchair; maybe someone could try making a toddler-sized version?
Build a Table From a Cardboard Box -- small rectangular table, with papier-mache covering
Cardboard Furniture -- a larger, round, pedestal table (looks a bit flimsy... I'd be inclined to use a double layer of cardboard, alternating the direction of the grain, for added strength)
Mr. McGroovy's Rivets -- okay, not very Montessori-specific, but I thought these were cool 
Everything Corrugated -- collection of links, for further exploration!
Please feel free to share other web sites or books that might be useful, as well as any tips from your own experience. (I remember seeing lots of ideas in a book of children's projects that was published in the late 70's or early 80's, but I don't remember the title.)
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earthmaven
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| Posted: Aug 12 2007 at 5:16pm | IP Logged
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Those are some wonderful ideas. Imagine the fun the children would have doing papier mache or decoupage on a table of their own.
But I think the make or break question from this group is..."but can it be laminated?" 
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Land O' Cotton
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| Posted: Aug 12 2007 at 8:28pm | IP Logged
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Great ideas and great links, Eleanor!
You know, I've even used some of those box "trays" from the grocery stores that cases of canned foods come in to set up some of my tray ideas. I just put materials I've collected, and then when the tray is complete I move it to a nicer tray. I imagine you could really get creative and make some cute trays with these boxes using decoupage, paint and other things.
I love the idea of using what's on hand and cheap!
__________________
Vicki
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Corrugated cardboard for storage items
