Floating Boats

As part of our learning about “Lands of Ice and Snow”, the Reception children have read “Lost and Found” by Oliver Jeffers, the story of a boy helping a penguin find his way home to the South Pole.

Inspired by themes of friendships and journeys, the children constructed their very own boats. Working in pairs they considered materials that would float or sink, and how they could join materials together.

It was very exciting to set the boats off to sail! Some of the vessels did indeed float but some of them capsized! The girls and boys were encouraged to consider why the boats had tipped – and to modify their designs for a second sailing. There was cheering all round when the modified boats set sail, the children stood back in wonder as the boats made their way across the water tank propelled by the wind.