
Winter: Companions: Lesson 1
Objects for friendships: references, designs
Objects for friendships: references, designs
Warm-up: 15 mins
Embodying Objects Game → see book 1, p.24
Introduction: 15 mins
Presentation of artist’s work: Clare Breen
– Explain to the children that they will make objects for friendships over the next two weeks. An “object for a friendship” can be an imaginary object, something invented, that could help two people to be better friends and/or to speed up a friendship. For example, an extra-large soup bowl that two people could use at the same time (with two spaces for two spoons) or an s-shaped bench that allows two people to sit facing each other to have a private chat.
– This is a link to Clare Breen’s work
– Clare makes objects called “companions”, a companion is something or someone you spend time with or share something with. Clare always works with another person to make these “companions”. They are usually made from clay and can be used by two people to share a meal. These companions help people to have some fun together as they share a meal. A companion could be a cup two people drink from, or a plate with a wall in the middle, with a little gap for people to push food through that they want to share.
– Show the children pictures of these companions and ask them what they think they could be used for, what can people learn about one another when they share a meal together?
– Clare makes objects for two people to share one meal together, ask the children to think of all of the things two people can do together (mention games, sharing food, travelling together, sleeping.)
– Ask children how people make friends, what are some of the things people do? (eg. Listening to people’s stories, laughing at people’s jokes, telling each other secrets, giving someone a hug when they feel bad)
- Ask what kind of object someone could make to make these things easier (it can be a funny invention, it doesn’t have to be serious!) for instance, a machine that laughs at
Lesson 2: objects for friendships: Clay work, finished pieces all of your jokes when you press a button, a hugging machine for when your friend is far away, etc.)
Embodying Objects Game → see book 1, p.24
Introduction: 15 mins
Presentation of artist’s work: Clare Breen
– Explain to the children that they will make objects for friendships over the next two weeks. An “object for a friendship” can be an imaginary object, something invented, that could help two people to be better friends and/or to speed up a friendship. For example, an extra-large soup bowl that two people could use at the same time (with two spaces for two spoons) or an s-shaped bench that allows two people to sit facing each other to have a private chat.
– This is a link to Clare Breen’s work
– Clare makes objects called “companions”, a companion is something or someone you spend time with or share something with. Clare always works with another person to make these “companions”. They are usually made from clay and can be used by two people to share a meal. These companions help people to have some fun together as they share a meal. A companion could be a cup two people drink from, or a plate with a wall in the middle, with a little gap for people to push food through that they want to share.
– Show the children pictures of these companions and ask them what they think they could be used for, what can people learn about one another when they share a meal together?
– Clare makes objects for two people to share one meal together, ask the children to think of all of the things two people can do together (mention games, sharing food, travelling together, sleeping.)
– Ask children how people make friends, what are some of the things people do? (eg. Listening to people’s stories, laughing at people’s jokes, telling each other secrets, giving someone a hug when they feel bad)
- Ask what kind of object someone could make to make these things easier (it can be a funny invention, it doesn’t have to be serious!) for instance, a machine that laughs at
Lesson 2: objects for friendships: Clay work, finished pieces all of your jokes when you press a button, a hugging machine for when your friend is far away, etc.)

Development: 30 mins
– Distribute a large page and drawing materials between two children. Also give them a selection of sticks (large and small) and a lump of plasticine.
– Allow them to work for 30 minutes together, coming up with ideas for “objects for friendships”, they should draw these models to document them and write descriptions of these objects.
Conclusion: 25 mins
- Put all the drawing materials away.
– Ask each group to choose one object idea to present to the class, invite the class to listen and give suggestions.
– Invite children to document this work in their notebooks. They can also cut out all of these designs and drawings and stick them into their notebooks.
– Take pictures of each of these objects.
– Distribute a large page and drawing materials between two children. Also give them a selection of sticks (large and small) and a lump of plasticine.
– Allow them to work for 30 minutes together, coming up with ideas for “objects for friendships”, they should draw these models to document them and write descriptions of these objects.
Conclusion: 25 mins
- Put all the drawing materials away.
– Ask each group to choose one object idea to present to the class, invite the class to listen and give suggestions.
– Invite children to document this work in their notebooks. They can also cut out all of these designs and drawings and stick them into their notebooks.
– Take pictures of each of these objects.
