Materials for modifiers -stickers -contact paper -feathers -pom-poms -construction paper
Modifiers
For an easier challenge: -Replace items in nature with stickers -Use contact paper to make a collage
For a trickier challenge -Replace items in nature with feathers and pom-poms -Have the students glue their materials to strips of construction paper; then tape the strips to the student's wrists to make the bracelet.
Follow-up Ideas
-At the end of the day, cut off the bracelets from the children's wrists and tape them to wax paper to make the class's nature collage. Post it at the children's eye-level.
-Paint a picture using a variety of interesting materials. For example, the teacher could have the students paint with strawberry containers, bubble wrap, cotton balls, sticks, and/or feathers.
Originating Idea
It's not only an activity where you can take the kids outside and get some fresh air, but they can experience environment outside of their classroom and utilize materials in a new way. When my kids did this activity with me, they had an absolute blast! We're planning on doing it again for summer camp!
How to Make Activity
For this activity, there is no prep work necessary outside of getting the materials! Enjoy!
How to Implement Activity
During circle time, the teacher should show all her students an example of a nature bracelet. She should then tell them, "We're going on a nature walk today! While we're outside, I want you to pick things that you would like to put on your bracelet! You can look at my bracelet as an example!" She should then help the students put on their coats and get ready to go outside. Then she should hand each student a grocery bag, and take them on the nature walk. After the nature walk, the teacher should wrap the masking tape around each student's hand. The sticky part of the tape should be pointing away from the student, and there bracelet should not be taped so that it's tight against the child's wrist.
While the children are outside, they should be picking up different materials for their bracelets, including leaves, flowers, grass, and pine needles. They may spend some time examining the materials with their hands, and they'll want to show their friends and teachers what they found. When they go back to class and get their bracelets, they will sit down and start putting the things from their baggies on their bracelets. Some will grab fistfuls of their materials and smash them against the masking tape, while others will put the materials on their bracelet one at a time.
Once the children finish their bracelets, the teachers will have the students throw away the rest of their materials and choose a book from their bookshelf to read.