On my journey to a Zero Waste classroom, I have been inspired to lessen our electricity use. Light tables, projectors, string lights, light boxes, and lit-up trees were once used in my classroom to make areas more inviting, warm and inspiring for young children. Light provocations are important in the classroom to engage the children’s sense of wonder and curiosity. Recently, I have been creating off-grid alternatives for favorite plug-in learning materials.
My alternatives use the natural light from our classroom windows. Working with natural and direct sunlight allows the children to be immersed in an environment where the movement of the sun enriches our learning spaces and materials, allows us to become more in tune with the time progression throughout the day (rather than a simulated, evenly-lit day), and creates a more naturally stimulating environment with less artificial lighting.
Off-grid alternatives to a…
Projector:
Find a window in your classroom that has direct sunlight coming in. Under the window, place a table with a mirror on top where the light will reflect off the mirror. Hang a white sheet next to the table for the light to project on. I actually hang a sheet on the back of a chair instead of adding a more permanent fixture to the ceiling. That way I can move the setup to the other side of the classroom for the afternoon when the sun has moved.
The children enjoy transparent blocks, glass stones, cut out letters, shadow hand puppets, and paints for drawing/writing. I use paint directly on the mirror instead of the typical plastic-based markers and laminated sheets. The reflection of the direct sunlight transfers the color, shapes and shadows of the materials onto the sheet just as well as a projector.
This off-grid projector adds another element to the children’s learning experience. They can actually see how the light transfer works with the mirror and can manipulate it as they play; using a projector hides how the concept works. This projector also does not require electricity or extra resources and parts to continue working.
Light table:
Many activities common on a light table can be done on a vertical light table such as a window. Tracing pictures with transparent paper, observing the details and colors of materials such as a leaf, and viewing x-rays are just some of our favorite activities that work just as easily on a window as they would on a light table. Direct sunlight isn’t required for it to work; it just needs to be lighter outside than it is inside.
When tracing with transparent paper on the window, hang a string with wooden clothespins on it for the children to attach their paper to as they draw rather than use tape.
If you want the window marker experience, you could use an eco-friendly paint on the window instead of markers to lessen your disposable plastic use.
For an alternative to a table-top light table, use a white topped table (or table with a white sheet on it) under a window that has direct sunlight. This provides a surface to build with transparent objects such as blocks and stones; the sunlight accentuates the materials’ transparency and colors just as much as a light table would. Plus, you get the extra bonus of colorful shadows!
One of my favorite activities on the light table was drawing and writing in sand and other small loose parts. Now, I use a mirror on a table for this activity. The reflection of the mirror under the writings feel just as inviting as the light shining through did on the light table.
I’m so excited to share these Zero Waste alternatives for the plug-in, light creating materials, and I’m happy to say I do not miss the other ones at all! Let us know how you lessen electricity use in your classroom!