My students voted on their 12th donut they received last week and their wish was the following: An indoor recess where they could create with boxes. So..the past few indoor recess students have been thinking "out of the box" (no pun intended.) And I must say- all you need is a box and a little imagination to lead to a world of fun. The intricate houses they have made complete with bunk beds and dining room tables have been such a reminder to me that encouraging creative thinking and building and playing is at the forefront of creating successful future citizens. 

I actually walked up to one group of builders within my classroom and they each told me their specific chosen "role" in inventing their house. "I'm the decorator" one said. "I'm the interior design person" another said. Because even as teachers with all the standards we must introduce and bring to mastery whilst also maintaining creativity, I must say there isn't always room in the day for this kind of play. However, if recess can be this time of creation, I say bring in the boxes. Clutter my room with 25 desks and brown paper boxes. I won't even mind if we cannot get to the door because the box is creating thinkers. The box is creating freedom and laughter and cooperation. The box has allowed those to feel successful and important and trusted and intelligent. 

Those paper boxes in the month of March have freed our souls.