emz321 Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 just a quick question which i am sure someone can answer! i remeber reading about peoples topic ideas for dinosaurs and digging for fossils/ the children have already CI digging for fossils outside in the soil/ path! i am thinking about setting objects in plaster of paris for the children to excavate but just wondering has anyone done this/ or has a suggestion and what tools did they use/ give the children so they could remove the items from the plaster of paris? thanks in advance Emma x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rea Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 I seem to remember a post on here warning about the dangers of plaster of paris. Cant recall the details though. Are there substitutes available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inge Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 the dangers are when children are using the mix when wet and before set as it becomes very warm before setting... not sure there is one after it is set.. but not able to help with the how to get it out.. it sets really hard... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredbear Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Hi yes we did this activity with 2.5 to 5 year olds using miniature dinosaur bones in a plaster of paris and sand mix, we gave the children clay plastic tools and small paint brushes. It was fantastic and the children had a great time, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finleysmaid Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 glad you didnt put a comma in that title! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottiedog Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 What a lovely idea Bridger, What ratio of sand to plaster of paris did you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredbear Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 Now your asking me, you just need to add enough sand to the plaster of paris with water, so that the mix is grainy, thats what enables them to scrape away. We made ours the night before we used it ,this activity lasted for a whole week with the pre-school children finally finding them all. Have fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottiedog Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 Thanks Bridger. Guess what we will be doing next week!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredbear Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 I'm sure the children will love it, we did set the scene and then off they went. I would love to hear how it went. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 We have done this with much success too, we used those dinosuar 'skeleton' puzzles you can buy, from a pound shop I think. Then they scraped away using small trowles, toothbrushes etc and we compared the skeletons they found with the dinosaurs we have, even matching like to like, might have to do it again now!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emz321 Posted March 5, 2011 Author Share Posted March 5, 2011 thanks for the suggestions i'll root out the schools clay tools on monday, can't wait to see how the children take to it :-) unfortuable have already set the stuff in the plaster of paris so will have to make some more with sand on monday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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