Special gifts include those we can make together. Making something together gives you time to play side-by-side and time to talk about the special people in your lives. This week, the kid-friendly caterpillars are making special gifts for their favorite butterflies. We hope you will enjoy mixing, wrapping and taping things together.
Please note that some projects illustrated (for example, making dough) take more time & patience than usual Butterfly School activities. You don't need to do the activities, you might simply discuss what the caterpillars are doing, focusing on the featured letters, words and gift making theme. If you want to play along with the caterpillars, set reasonable expectations & remember to have fun!
See Teacher Tips for simple gifts to share.
Here's a quick overview with special tips from my kitchen table to yours . . .
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Monday: Mix dough & put it away for next day. Short on time? Make pretend "air" dough. Invite help mixing next time you cook. |
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Tuesday: Making butterfly dough sculptures. Try the recipe, purchase dough, use a thick felt or (pre-cut) heavy cardboard. Anything with dimension will work well. Glue & set aside to dry. |
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Wednesday: Decorate sculptures. Consider painting them, adding glue and glitter -- even fabric! |
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Thursday: Make printed wrapping paper. Use a sharp scissor to cut sponges into simple shapes (star, heart, crescent moon). An apple or potato sliced in half creates an interesting pattern. TIP: Only distribute a small amount of paint at a time (just enough to coat bottom of your sponge stamp). Or decorate paper with (washable) ink stamps, markers, etc. |
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Friday: Use tape to wrap something. Be cautious around sharp tape dispensers. Grown-up can pre-cut the tape and "tape" it to an edge for child to reach it. |
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Saturday: add ribbons. Demonstrate tying a knot or bow! |
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Sunday: make a card. |
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For more great ideas, check out the activities at our parent site www.shininghours.com.
Join us for the second part of our holiday materials: sharing & receiving gifts!
You are ready for the Activity Sheets now; you can print them from here (go to Activity Sheets), or go back to the Butterfly School home page.
From Butterfly Central,
E-mail ideas and comments to: butterflycentral@shininghours.com
Teacher Tips
from Corinne Steigerwald
Spend time this week making one simple thing for a person you and your children care about.
Making a gift can be an enjoyable way to spend time. Keep things simple and keep your focus on having fun. Explore colors. Take time to feel textures too.
Talk about the person your gift is for while you work. Describe the person. Discuss some of the enjoyable times you have shared. Consider the person's interests and tastes. What color does the person like? Does the person enjoy things that are smooth, furry or soft?
Try to talk about the way you hope your special person will feel when she receives the gift! Imagine that she will be happy when she sees the time you took to select nice colors, paper and texture. Imagine how she will appreciate your energy and love!
You also might take time to make each other a very simple gift -- or a special card. Work together. Ask each other about favorite colors and shapes. Exchange gifts and talk about how each gift makes you feel!
Very simple gifts to share:
Frame your art! Decorate an 8 1/2 x 11 paper & glue a smaller artwork or photo on top. Or, decorate a paper frame to lay over a favorite photo or drawing!
Best refrigerator magnets. Paste picture inside a large 2-3" metal cap (spaghetti sauce jars or apple sauce jars work well). Glue magnet to back. Glue ribbon around edge!
Print an uppercase alphabet to read or hang on the wall!
Print a lowercase alphabet to read and hang on your refrigerator!
Simple dough recipe & pattern to make butterfly sculpture.
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