Fun with Character: Winds of Change

Pinwheels demonstrate the concept of flexibility (a pinwheel that doesn’t turn will tear) and being anchored (pinwheels must be fastened securely or they will blow away). Visit this website for directions on making a pinwheel. After you cut the paper, have the students fold it so they can see what remains as the pinwheel's leaves. Unfold and have them write ways they can be flexible on the part that can be seen. Fold and finish the pinwheel. Make sure that the paper fastener is loose enough to spin.

To process this activity, ask these or similar questions:

• Was making the pinwheel fun?

• Will the pinwheel spin if it is too tight?

• What do you think would happen to a pinwheel that didn’t spin in a big wind?

• What would happen to the pinwheel in a big wind if it weren’t anchored securely to the handle?

• How does a pinwheel react when it is hit with a change of blowing wind?

• How do pinwheels demonstrate flexibility?

• The next time changes “blow” your way, will you remember the pinwheel?