Making a model of the earth is a good introduction to science.
Making a model of the Earth for a kindergarten class is a fast and simple project that teaches children some of the basic properties of our planet and involves everybody creatively. All you need for the project is two paper plates per student, blue and green paint and brushes, staplers and staples, newspaper or other table protection, and smocks or clothing protection.
Instructions
1. Direct students to cover their workplace or table with newspapers or plastic covering to protect them from paint.
2. Direct students to put on smocks, T-shirts from home their parents will not mind getting paint on, or some other clothing protection to avoid getting paint on their clothes.
3. Hand out two paper plates to each student.
4. Instruct students, and show them by example, to place on paper plate on top of the other in such a way as to create a spherical object.
5. Instruct students, and show them by example, to staple the paper plate sphere along the edges so that it maintains its shape. Walk around when the students are stapling to ensure they are doing it safely and correctly.
6. Instruct students, and show them by example, to paint both sides of the paper plate "Earth" blue and green, with the continents/land masses as green, and water as blue. Use a globe or map of the world to guide their image of the continents' shape. Walk around as the students are painting, to ensure they are doing it correctly and with as little mess as possible. Let the students paint the continents as they see fit. Let them express their image of the continents individually to foster their creativity. Use non-toxic, removable paint. Finger paint is acceptable, too.
7. Encourage the students with positive messages and approval of their works.
8. Direct students to write their names on their projects so they can distinguish each of them from the other.
9. Direct students to wash the paint off their hands and anywhere else.
10. When the paint is dry, discuss with the students what the continents are, and the properties of a sphere, as opposed to a circle. Teachers can also talk about introductory environmentalist, geology, or ecology topics.
Tags: Direct students, Instruct students, Instruct students show, paper plate, show them
