EXPRESSIVE ARTS AND DESIGN, Exploring and using media and materials (ELG16), PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT, Moving and handling (ELG04), PSED, Self-confidence and self-awareness (ELG06), UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD, The world (ELG14)
Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the launch of ‘The Cutty Sark’ (November 22nd, 1869) by making and sailing small boats made out of junk and recycled materials.
Show children images of The Cutty Sark online. It was the fastest sailing ship of its time, launched in 1869, and is now moored at Greenwich, London. Go to https://www.rmg.co.uk/cutty-sark
and find out much more.
Compare with images and models of other boats and ships: rowing boats, canoe, paddle boat, inflatable dinghy, yachts, sailing ships, passenger liners, ferries, and so on.
Let children play with lots of different toy boats in the water tray.
Explain that they are going to be able to construct their own sailing boats using a variety of junk materials (see above).
Allow children to experiment with materials and offer help joining parts if required.
Show children how to create wind by blowing through a straw. Which boat stays afloat the longest?
Find out about other sailing boats around the UK, for instance, HMS Trincomalee (oldest warship afloat in Europe); The Mary Rose (Henry VIII's warship); HMS Victory (Nelson's flagship).
Read Toy Boat by Randall de Seve about a little boy who builds a boat out of a can, a cork, a pencil and some white cloth.