Leprechaun Traps

Here are photos from the Leprechaun Trap building process and after the traps had been "sprung" by the Leprechauns. 

As soon as the project was announced, excitement was high and students began envisioning and planning what they wanted to do. Groups were chosen by second graders after considering which ideas would work well together and who they could work with to solve disagreements and compromise on ideas. Build day was a flurry of activity, with ideas for slides, trap doors through carpets and chandeliers, hanging structures, and nets that would fall being worked into the mix. 

The end results were adorable and creative. Each trap had moments of sweetness (a couch for the Leprechaun to rest on, a painting hung on the wall) and bits of cleverness too. 

To keep this project about the process, I chose not to have the Leprechauns leave gifts. Now how things turned out won't be the focus when we recall this experience in later grades, my hope is students will remember how well building and working together went and the feelings of joy and satisfaction when the job was done.

Students should be proud of their work, what a worthwhile experience!