Most of us are used
to sitting in chairs, but we rarely think about chairs. It’s time to stand up –
for chairs!
CONNECT:
- What is the origin of the word “chair”? Find out its history – and the social history of chairs at http://www.randomhistory.com/2008/11/11_chair.html
- Sit like an ancient Egyptian. Read examples of their chairs and other furniture at http://www.historyforkids.net/egyptian-furniture.html
- Do you have designs on chairs? See how chair design has changed over the ages: http://denverartmuseum.org/article/staff-blogs/brief-history-chair-design
- Travel the world of chairs at https://rincarnation.wordpress.com/category/around-the-world-in-80-chairs/
- Watch how wooden chairs are manufactured: at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5hmgpuS3AE
CREATE:
- If you haven’t played musical chairs, here are simple directions: http://www.kidspot.com.au/kids-activities-and-games/Music-for-kids+53/Musical-chairs+240.htm. Brainstorm some other games you can play that uses chairs in creative ways (e.g., relays with chairs, speed race to set up lawn chairs, obstacle course, etc.).
- College students created parts that children can assemble into chairs for themselves: http://www.gizmag.com/kids-imagination-furniture/36268/ See if you can recreate these pieces yourself for children to assemble.
- Watch this video of a teen who designed and produced a comfy cardboard chair: http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/phy03.sci.engin.design.zchair/kid-designer-a-comfortable-cardboard-chair/
- Think with the box: see how children can use boxes to make doll house chairs and other furniture at http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/kidscraftsactivitiesblog/2010/03/how-to-make-cardboard-doll-house-furniture-with-old-boxes/
CARE:
- Be kind to your body. Learn how to choose an ergonomic chair at http://www.lushome.com/how-select-best-student-desk-chair-ergonomic-kids-room-design/85043
- Read how research into chairs turned into a kindergarten service project and Chair Museum: http://www.dukeschool.org/Page/Learn/Project-Work/Kindergarten-Chair-Project
- Some children use modified chairs for unique experiences. Read about these students who built chairs that calm children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article5011941.html
- Kids can paint chairs as a service; see an example at http://www.republican-eagle.com/content/kids-needed-paint-chairs
- You can make a difference to a mobile-bound person by donating to buy a wheelchair: http://www.joniandfriends.org/wheels-for-the-world/
CAREERS:
Time to sit up and
see how chairs can lead to jobs: interior design, carpentry, manufacturing,
health care.
