Core Skills Analysis
Mathematics
Jaxson measured and compared the amount of polycast he poured into each mould, noticing which mould held more liquid and how the volume changed when he tapped out bubbles. He used simple counting to track how many ornaments he made and observed patterns in the sizes of the finished pieces. By arranging the ornaments around the house, he practiced spatial reasoning, deciding where each shape fit best. This activity helped Jaxson develop an intuitive sense of measurement, volume, and geometry.
Science
Jaxson observed the transformation of liquid polycast into a solid as it dried, learning about the states of matter and the process of hardening. He recognized that tapping removed trapped air bubbles, which illustrated concepts of gases escaping from liquids. He also noted how the material’s properties changed from flexible to rigid, gaining insight into material science. The hands‑up experiment gave Jaxson a concrete example of physical change.
Art & Design
Jaxson painted the dried ornaments, choosing colours, mixing paints, and applying brush strokes, which developed his colour theory and fine‑motor skills. He expressed personal style by deciding how to decorate each piece and later arranged them creatively around the house, exploring composition and visual balance. The activity encouraged imagination and aesthetic decision‑making. Jaxson practiced planning, executing, and evaluating his artistic work.
Design and Technology
Jaxson followed a sequence of steps—mixing, selecting moulds, pouring, tapping, releasing, and decorating—demonstrating systematic problem‑solving and procedural memory. He chose appropriate moulds for the intended design, showing an understanding of materials and tool use. By safely handling the polycast and tools, he developed practical skills and an awareness of safety. The project integrated designing, making, and evaluating a functional decorative object.
Tips
Encourage Jaxson to keep a simple log of how much polycast he uses for each mould and compare the quantities to explore measurement concepts. Offer a colour‑mixing station where he predicts the resulting hue before painting, reinforcing colour theory. Set up a ‘design challenge’ where he plans a new ornament shape on paper first, then creates a prototype, fostering iterative design thinking. Finally, create a mini‑gallery walk around the house where Jaxson explains his decorative choices, supporting oral language and presentation skills.
Book Recommendations
- The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires: A story about a girl who designs, builds, and perfects a creation, encouraging persistence and engineering mindset.
- Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty: Rosie’s inventions and problem‑solving adventures inspire young makers to experiment with materials and designs.
- What Can You Do with a Brick? by Marilyn Burns: A playful look at the many ways a simple brick can be used, sparking curiosity about material properties and creativity.
Learning Standards
- Mathematics – KS1 Measurement: Measuring length, capacity and mass; Geometry: Shape, position and direction.
- Science – Year 3 Materials: Investigate properties and changes of materials, including solid, liquid, gas states.
- Art & Design – KS1 Art and Design: Use a range of materials, techniques and processes to create artworks; explore colour, line and composition.
- Design and Technology – Year 3 D&T: Working with a range of materials; understand the properties of materials; use safe methods and evaluate designs.
Try This Next
- Worksheet: Record the volume (in millilitres) of polycast poured into each mould and graph the results.
- Colour‑mixing chart: Predict and then test the new colour created by mixing two paints before applying them to an ornament.
- Bubble‑test experiment: Make two identical ornaments, tap bubbles out of one and not the other, then compare surface smoothness.
- Writing prompt: Have Jaxson write a short “story of an ornament” describing its journey from mould to house décor.