Class makes igloo

De Dee Crafton's Preschool class at Senath-Hornersville Elementary shows off its unique life-sized igloo, made of approximately 150 gallon milk jugs. The 4-year-old and 5-year-old students use the life-like dome as a classroom reading corner during story time. [Click to enlarge]

Oh the joys of Preschool, learning together, playing games, participating in group activities, huddling up beside the igloo for a good story. Yes, an igloo, and a life-sized one at that.

After studying about the winter season and its elements, as well as animals that live in icy habitats like the arctic, the 4-year-old and 5-year-old students in De Dee Crafton's Preschool classroom at Senath-Hornersville Elementary collaborated on a project designed by Crafton and teacher aide, Amy Keating.

The project involved student, parent and teacher efforts in collecting clear gallon milk jugs, which would be used to construct the life-sized igloo in Crafton's classroom.

"As the children started bringing the milk jugs in one by one and the design of the igloo started to grow, they became really motivated about the project and were excited to see it finished," Crafton said.

The class ended up collecting a total of approximately 150 milk jugs that contributed to the igloo's structure.

Crafton and Keating worked with the students to create the life-like model, even adding important features like glistening snow and ice.

To celebrate the new addition to the classroom, Keating made penguin cookies made of Oreo cookies, chocolate kisses, and powdered sugar as snow. The children designed "Penguin Pals" to be displayed outside of the classroom in the hallway, and the class is in the process of decorating their classroom door with a winter theme.

Crafton and Keating took a moment to talk with the students about their project and what they learned and enjoyed the most.

The children shared their newfound knowledge of igloos and all things that make you think, "Burr."

"I love the penguins," said five year old Karla Marroquin.

When Crafton asked Marroquin and the others about the igloo and what it is designed to do, they all replied, "keep you warm."

Crafton's class has also found alternative uses for the realistic dome. They are using the igloo as a reading corner that is enjoyed by the students during story time.

According to most of the kids, the best part about the igloo is the fact that they can huddle up inside while enjoying a good book.

"We like to get inside the igloo," said five year old B.J. Myers. "It is my faveorite thing to do."

Crafton said her class is going to continue enjoying having the creative and fun structure in the classroom and take advantage of its uniqueness as much as possible before it "melts".