Rainbow Fish

Hi to all after a brief absence!  Sorry about that, I promise to get better at being consistent with these postings eventually.

Anywho, this project here is one that I actually did with a 4 year old I was babysitting. The project consists of paper mache and painting.  It was a 2 day project, but she enjoyed every second of it!  It is a great practice for reading, art, shapes, colors, etc...

Warning*** This CAN and WILL get messy so prepare for that! :)

So as a background to the project, I went over different colors of the rainbow with my little one and then we read the book Rainbow Fish.  I actually went on YouTube and found an animated read along for it, I think it kept her attention a bit more since it was more like a movie.  

So here's what you'll need:

1 balloon for each fish you're going to make 
various colored paint (try keeping it bright to coordinate with rainbows)
construction paper (any color)
paintbrushes
container for the paint (I used an ice cube tray)
glitter
liquid glue (at least 4 bottles)
safety scissors
newspaper
a big bowl
saran wrap/wax paper/aluminum foil

Paper Mache:

1) First things first, you need to blow up the ballon. (yourself, not with helium) 
2) Pour 2 complete bottles of liquid glue into the big bowl
3) Pour water inside
---measuring it: online I found various measurements.  Some say 2 parts water for every 1 part glue, others say the other way around.  I chose to do 2 bottles of glue and 1& 1/2 bottles of water worked just great
4) Rip up the newspaper into small strips or pieces. 
5) Messy part: dip the strips into the glue/water mix
6) Take the gooey pieces and stick them on to anywhere on the ballon and try to smooth it out as much as possible.
7) Once it's COMPLETELY covered in ooey gooey paper, set it on the saran wrap/wax paper/aluminum foil and let it dry over night.  You might have to turn it over in the morning so the part that was down has a chance to dry completely.


Painting the fish:

1) Put different colors into different parts of the paint holder you're using (I found the ice cube tray to be very helpful with this part)
2) Everyone go crazy painting! Make that fish super colorful!

Rainbow scales:

1) Help the kids cut different sized circles out of the construction paper

2) Cover each circle in glue and then in glitter...doesn't really matter what colors you decide to use

3) Once they dry, stick them on to different parts of the fish. 

Finishing touches:

1)Paint on a face or use different materials to glue on (foam sheets, construction paper, stickers, etc.)

2) Don't forget the fins!

3)And there you have your Rainbow Fish!

The makings of our fish....waiting for the newspaper to dry

 Paint is on, now we wait for that to dry....

 She decided to go with kissy lips.

Credit:  The credit for this idea is a mix of a bunch of projects I found online!

To all, please enjoy! :)

The OOOOOOBLECKKKKK

So, it's been a while since I've posted projects on here...I've been trying to keep up with my schooling but, I'm back!

The project I'm writing about today is super fun! I've already done this with one of the students I tutor (he's currently in Kindergarten...almost first grade)!  It was a big hit with him.  We are talkin' about Oobleck.  Now this one can be incorporated into different subjects which is awesome.  We cover reading, art, and even science, which I'll explain later in this blog.

The idea started with one of Dr. Seuss's not so famous books, Bartholomew and the Oobleck.  I won't give it away because I want you guys to go ahead and read it yourselves, but basically, a sticky substance called the oobleck is taking over a kingdom and a boy named Bartholomew must save it!

Here's what you'll need:
1 cup of water
1-2 cups of corn starch
Food Coloring (green to keep in the spirit of Seuss!)
Mixing Bowl

How to make it:
1) Throw the corn starch into the mixing bowl (be careful, it puffs out everywhere!)
2) Start adding water little by little. 
***With the corn starch, add a bit of water and mix for about 10 seconds.  It might seem really thick at first, but you'll notice that it will get runny after a bit of mixing.
3) Put 5-10 drops of food coloring (depending on how much you have and how dark you want it)

And there's the oobleck! Have fun squishing it around!!

Now, if you want to make it into a science lesson...you can make oobleck into quicksand.  For this, place your hands on the surface of the quicksand and see how long it takes to sink.  Now pull it out slowly and notice the pressure to keep your hand it. Do it again but this time, pull your hand out quickly.  What's the difference?  Which is easier to do?

Clean up is simple.  Comes off very easily with water alone.  :)

Thanks to a friend and colleague of mine, Stephanie, for sending me the idea with quicksand and to http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/oobleck-bring-science-home/  for the idea of turning it into Oobleck! 



:)  Enjoy with the kids and leave me a comment to let me know what you think!