National Network for Child Care's Connections
Newsletter
(Reprinted from *Kids: A Newsletter For School-Age Child Care
Providers*, published by the University of Connecticut Cooperative
Extension Service.)
Copyright/Access Information
The weather can be unpredictable. When it interrupts outdoor activities,
be prepared with indoor activities as back-ups. With a small amount
of planning and preparation, you can be ready for any type of
programming change. The following activities are perfect for days
when the weather keeps you inside. Gather the supplies and materials
ahead of time so all you have to do is pull the projects off the
shelf. Being prepared makes transitions and interruptions in normal
schedules much smoother.
For the front and back covers of each book, cut two rectangular
pieces of cardboard. A good size is 6 inches by 5 inches. Cut
fabric into pieces at least 1 inch larger than the cardboard on
all sides. Glue the fabric pieces to the cardboard with the good
sides facing out. Glue the corners first, then the sides.
Cut other pieces of fabric slightly smaller than the cardboard
to be glued on the inside surface so that both sides of each cardboard
are covered. Have the children decorate with permanent markers
or fabric embroidery paint. For the inside pages, cut 20 pieces
of assorted construction paper just a little smaller than the
covers.
Using a hole punch, make the appropriate holes in the cardboard
covers and the inside pages. An awl or a pair of scissors may
be necessary for heavy cardboard. Assemble the covers and inside
pages by lacing the book together with ribbon or with wool yarn
that has been doubled, and tie it in a nice bow on the front.
Cut black construction paper or poster board into 3-1/2"
squares. Onto this, glue a frame of craft sticks, overlapping
them at the ends. Write a special message on the paper with a
white ink pen. Decorate the chalkboard with small bows, sequins,
yarn, fabric or paper scraps, and colored markers. Glue a loop
to the top in back for hanging.
Divide a large sheet of poster board by drawing a grid of squares
or rectangles about 3 inches by 5 inches. Number each square in
order from left to right. Make a "map" of this grid
with numbers on a separate sheet of paper. On the other side of
the poster board, draw a scene or picture. Cut the poster board
into the squares or rectangles.
Pass out one or two pieces to each child at random. Don't let
children know the subject of the finished design. Have each child
color, paint, or cut and glue paper or fabric to decorate his
square(s), taking care to stay within the lines.
As a child finishes a square, place it in order on a table according
to the map of the grid. When enough adjacent pieces are finished,
tape them together. Remember, assembling is done with the number
side of each square up. The design is still a mystery.
Continue taping squares together until it is complete. Flip the
reassembled sheet of poster board over to reveal the completed
mural. The children can see how each individual interpreted their
piece and how it finally fits into the total design.
FORMAT AVAILABLE:: Internet
DOCUMENT REVIEW::
Level 3 - National Peer Review
DOCUMENT SIZE:: 12K or 3 pages
ENTRY DATE:: February 1996
Contact Us | Non-discrimination Statement and Information Disclosures | © Iowa State University, 2002