Free Inquiry Beginning…

For my first post, I wanted to talk about my free inquiry project. I love creative projects, and when I was a kid, Rainbow Loom came out. I was mostly interested in making bracelets, like other elementary school-aged girls at the time. My mom bought me a book with different designs to try, and I also loved watching tutorials on YouTube. Now, as I work with kids, Rainbow Loom is still a big interest amongst them. When I worked summer day camps, I was making Rainbow Loom flowers for my campers every day. I loved creating the flowers for them because they were so excited to get one.

For my free inquiry project, I want to test my skills and try some more complicated creations — animals. There are hundreds of tutorials online that I am excited to explore! One thing in particular I want to try and work my way up to is a dragon. I have a long way to go, but I believe I can work on developing my skills and eventually have the competence to make one.

My free inquiry project can also be applied to the classroom. As I learn the steps of going through the free inquiry process, I can take the process into the classroom and lead students through their own inquiries. The actual concept of creating animals with loom bands can also be integrated into the classroom. In primary, having the supplies out at a center with simple tutorials to follow would give kids the confidence to start creating projects. In upper elementary and middle school, this could look like more complicated tutorials, teacher-led clubs during free times, and having the supplies in the classroom for interested students.

An example of a Rainbow Loom dragon made by @dragonsofrainbowloom on Instagram!