feely boxes

I use feely boxes for science and math activities. I got this idea from Terri, a fabulous Kindergarten teacher who made her version of a feely box when she was in college. After closely examining her design I am sharing it with you. First you need a cylindrical shaped cardboard or plastic container. It should be large enough to accommodate a hand and the objects you want your students to feel. I like the size of oatmeal containers.

Reinforce and decorate the container with contact paper.

Find a fun, stretchy sock and cut off the toe. I used a pinking sheers to prevent unraveling.

Finally, hot glue (or use E6000 glue available at fabric and craft stores) to attach the sock around the lip of the container. (Terri stapled her sock on but I couldn't figure out how to make that work.) The students put their hand in the sock to feel the objects inside. I made several so that I can use them with pairs of students. Simple, elegant and earth friendly.

Tube Owls

I am trying to incorporate more non-fiction/ expository text into our literacy time. I found a fabulous book Incredible Owls by Justin McCory Martin (available through Scholastic book companies). The book has great photographs of different types of owls and lots of facts without being too long. After reading and writing about owls, we created our own using 2 toilet paper tubes glued together (I hot glue them in advance), feathers, a cut out of owl features (which I made, traced and copied) and fun wiggle eyes (available through classroom direct catalogues) I like how the wiggles eyes have lashes and eyelids. They make the owl look nocturnal.

Patterning stations

I made this patterning activity with foam stickers and clothespins. I hot glued to stickers to the clothespins. The children use a ruler to clip a pattern.
These giant shape stamps are perfect for little hands. Students use paper strips and shape stamps to create shape patterns.
These linking family members were a "gift" from the Highlights Magazines. These are great for patterning by size.
This patterning mat set was available through Scholastic Firefly and Seesaw book clubs. I was able to use bonus points to order the set. The shapes a foam and the patterning mats help guide students.

Water Painting

I am always on the look out for ideas to keep my students engaged in play during recess time.
I saw a version of this activity at our local children's museum. All you need is a few old paint brushes and a bucket with about an inch of water. My students love to paint the sidewalk and watch their picture disappear, only to paint new ones.

Scarecrows

These 3-D scarecrow are easy to make and require mostly recycled materials. I collected oatmeal cans, coffee cans and other cylindrical containers. I wrapped the containers in newsprint. Then the students used felt to create the faces. Construction paper shapes can be used as well.

May Basket

I think this is my favorite hand print project of the year!

This is a double hand print in brown, thumbs pointing up. Hands should be placed so that the fingers are intertwined. Use the finger paint technique to connect the handle of the basket with brown paint.

Students then finger print paint the flowers into the basket.

Happy May Day!

A shout out to Dr. Jean!

Check out Dr. Jean's March '10 on her web page. She shares numerous ways to use recycled materials in the classroom. Together we can make a big difference is caring for our earth!
http://www.drjean.org