MattLands
Learning Goals: Literacy, Read Aloud, Oral Language Development
- Read, “Mattland” by Hazel Hutchins, a story about young children creating their own imaginary worlds through found materials in outdoor play.
- Then, bring the class outside to inspire children to create their own "Mattland".
- Give each child a hula hoop to create their own imaginary world.
- Guide the construction of children's imaginary worlds by asking open-ended questions that encourage children to reflect upon what they included in their "Mattland" and the significance of these objects.
- Mattland by Hazel Hutchins
- Hula hoops
- Found objects
- The educator came up with the idea (chose the story, led a read aloud, brought the children outside to create their own imaginary worlds), the children had full control over the construction of their "Mattland". The play was mutually-directed.
