Back to school Arts & Crafts: school's in! set students' minds and fingers in motion with the wonderful welcome-back crafts - Brief Article

Instructor, August, 2002 by Mackie Rhodes

Bus Buddies

Students will get a chance to meet and greet their new classmates as they fill in the bus windows with pictures of their new buddies.

For this project, you'll need three 1-1/4" wood circles, yellow and black construction paper if desired, craft items (such as yarn and googly eyes), and the bus Reproducible, page 6.

1. Color and cut out the bus Reproducible, or trace the bus onto yellow construction paper and add your own details.

2. Cut out the bus wheels and glue them onto the bus as shown.

3. Use the wood circles to make faces for the bus windows. Decorate them with yarn hair and googly eyes. Use markers for smiles.

4. Glue each "buddy" onto a bus window. Draw additional details as desired.

Tip: Wood circles can be purchased at a craft store. As an alternative, have children color white soda bottle lids with crayons to make their bus buddies.

--Adapted from an idea by Linda Zajac, Vernon, CT

Wiggly Worm Nametag

Wear these interactive nametags or use them in a get-to-know-you game of "Guess Who?"

For each wiggly worm nametag, you'll need markers or crayons, scissors, tape or glue, and the apple and worm Reproducible, page 7.

1. Color and cut Out the apple and worm patterns.

2. Cut out and glue or tape a leaf to the apple.

3. Write your name on the worm. Accordion-fold the worm, leaving about 1" at the head end.

4. Glue or tape the worm to the inside of the circle opening, as shown. To display your name, stretch the worm out to full length. Re-fold and tuck the worm into the hole to hide your name.

Tip: After the class is finished wearing the nametags, use them in a center. Ask children to write a "Guess Who?" clue on the apple such as "I have red hair." Unfold the worm for the answer!

Personal Pyramid

Invite students to share several sides of their personalities with these unique picture frames.

For each pyramid, you'll need a small photo of each child, yarn, markers or crayons, glue, and the pyramid Reproducible, page 7.

(1) Cut out the pyramid Reproducible.

(2) Cut and glue the photo to fit inside the small triangle, as shown.

(3) On each of the remaining sides, draw something that represents you, for example: a favorite pet or hobby, your home, or your family.

(4) Fold the pyramid along the dotted lines. Then glue the tabs in place, as shown, to create a pyramid. Trap the ends of a piece of yarn in the top of the pyramid to make a loop hanger.

Tip: Instead of drawing, children might want to try collage--glueing small photos or pictures from magazines onto their pyramids.

Study Zone Door Hanger

When it's time for homework, these personalized signs help students send a loud and clear message--without making a sound!

For each sign, you'll need four wide craft sticks, 5-1/2" black construction paper square, 10" length of yarn, chalk, and small "school supply" stickers.

(1) To create a mini-chalkboard, glue the craft sticks around the black square, trapping each end of the yarn in a glued corner to make a hanger. Allow the glue to dry.

(2) Use chalk to write "[Name]'s Study Zone" on the chalkboard.

(3) Decorate open spaces on the chalkboard with stickers. To display, hang your mini-chalkboard on a doorknob.

Tip: To keep the chalk from smearing, coat it lightly with clear acrylic craft spray or hair spray.

-- Lucia Henry, Fallon, NV

Sculpt a Neighborhood

Start the year by making a mural of your community. Children can "sculpt" houses, a school, a fire station, stores, and other important buildings, creating a fascinating textured display.

For this art center, you'll need newspaper, construction paper in many different colors, poster paint, scissors, and glue. After acquainting your students with the many types of buildings in your community, guide them through the following steps:

1. Cut construction paper into the building shape of your choice.

2. Tear the newspaper into strips, then twist or crumple them. Glue the strips onto your building, shaping and sculpting them to form features such as windows, doors, and a roof. If desired, use paint to add more details and texture.

Tip: To avoid getting newsprint on their clothes, have children wear paint smocks as they work.

Paper Bag Backpacks

Make these bags your first week back and use them as "getting to know you" icebreakers. Children can fill them with photographs, drawings of favorite things, and small treasures to share.

For each backpack, you'll need a paper lunch bag, markers and crayons, and scissors.

1. Open the bag. Cut off the front and sides of the bag about 5" from the top, as shown. Cut out two 1" wide straps from the removed section of the bag.

2. Fold the tall side of the bag over the front to create a flap. Trim the flap in a semi-circular shape.

3. Glue the straps to the back.

4. Decorate the bag to resemble a school backpack.