Welcome Banner

I am a minimalist when it comes to decorating my classroom.  I am a firm believer that less is more when it comes to distractions and young children.  I leave my walls bare except for essentials... most of the time.

I do however think that the children will feel more ownership of the classroom if they take a part in the decorating.  With that being said, I decided to make a Welcome Banner for the wall that you see first thing upon entering our room.  Sometime during the first week of school each child will create a self portrait and trace their names.  Each self portrait will be displayed around the banner.

I think it will be perfect for a year long decoration that has a bit of character from each kiddo in the class.

To make the banner is really easy.

Materials:

• piece of recycled cardboard from a cereal box
• pencil
• large printable letters from the Internet
• scissors
• double sided tape
• 3 different coordinating 12 X 12 scrapbook pages
• hole punch
• twine

Directions:

1.  Print the letters for the word WELCOME from the site linked above.

2.  Cut out the letters.

3.  Draw a triangle onto the cardboard large enough to fit the M.  Cut out the triangle.  This will be your tracer.

4.  Lay the tracer onto the back side of a sheet of scrapbook paper.  Trace and cut out the triangle.

5.  Repeat step 4 five more times on your various scrapbook papers.  You should have 6 triangles of three different patterns when you are done.

6.  Lay the triangles out on the floor in an ABC pattern (123123). 

7.  Place the letters onto the triangles and position them like you want them.

8.  Pull one letter off at a time and adhere it to the triangles with double sided tape.

9.  At this point, laminate the triangles for durability and cut out.  Hole punch each top corner of the triangles.  Lace twine through the holes to make your banner.

10.  Hang the banner on the wall.  I am going to hammer a nail through each end of the twine.

Super easy and super cute.

Craft Clay

Ingredients

•1 cup cornstarch
•2 cups baking soda
•1 ¼ cups water

Directions

Combine cornstarch and baking soda in a medium to large pan. Gradually add water and stir until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until consistency is doughlike.

After cooled, knead on counter or cutting board and let your child mold his clay to create his work of art. Provide cookie cutters if desired.

When the dough is dried, your child can then paint it however he or she wishes. You can store any remaining dough in a plastic bag for later use.

Cinnamon Ornaments

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cinnamon
• 1/2 cup store bought applesauce (homemade sauce will likely be too watery)

OR

Any equal portions of both ingredients depending on the quantity you desire.

Directions:

1. Stir together cinnamon and applesauce with a spoon until the dough becomes stiff. Then, use your hands to create a ball of dough.

2. Place the ball of dough on a sheet of waxed paper; flatten slightly with your fingers.

3. Place a second sheet of waxed paper over the top of the dough and roll out dough to about 1/8 inch thick.

4. Use cookie cutters or your own template shapes.

5. Air dry creations on a waxed paper-covered cookie sheet or a cooling rack for at least 24 hours until they are completely hard.

Holiday Egg Crafts

Wet Felted Holiday Eggs
even the youngest crafter can complete this project with a little help from mom

Crayon Holiday Eggs
if you can hold a crayon, you can do this craft

Drip Dot Eggs
age 9+

Yarn Balloon Egg
age 5+

Decal Dyed Eggs
if you can peel a sticker, you can do this craft

Washi Egg PDF
this craft is a bit harder

May Basket

While looking for some activities to celebrate May Day, I came across several variations on the May Basket.  I took my favorite ideas from each post I found and combined them to come up with the following...

Materials:

• paper doily or other paper cut in a 9" circle

• stapler or glue

• pipe cleaner

• hole punch

• scissors

• small fresh cut flowers with stems about 4" long or wildflower seed packets

• paper towel

• piece of aluminum foil

• handwritten poem

• blessing

• sweet treats (raisins, chocolate kisses, fortune cookie)


Directions:

1. Cut a slit in the paper from one edge to the center of the circle.

2. Overlap the cut edges and twist the paper so that a cone is formed. Staple or glue the edge to hold the cone shape.

3. Punch holes on opposite sides of the top of the cone.

4. Form hooks on both ends of the pipe cleaner and put the ends through the punched holes to form a handle. Twist the ends of the pipe cleaner around so that they stay in the holes.

5. Dampen the paper towel and squeeze out most of the extra water. Wrap the ends of the flower stems with the paper towel, then wrap with the aluminum foil.

6. Slide the wrapped flowers into the cone.

7. If you want to add a poem, blessing, or some sweet treats, now the time.


** Leave your May Basket on the doorstep of a friend or neighbor.  I am sure they will enjoy the wonderful surprise!**

Spring Time Crafts and Activities

Yarn Eggs: simple enough for even the youngest crafter

Washi Eggs:  a japanese technique of layering paper onto eggs

Finger Print Flowers

Sunshine Flower Pot

Egg Cup Insects: made with recycled materials

Magazine Holder: made with recycled materials