Animal Parade

Materials

lively music

CD player

Instructions

1. Ask the children to help you gather all of the loose collage supplies and put
them in the middle of a large table.
2. Start a discussion by saying something about the amount of materials on the
table. For example, "We sure have a lot of collage supplies. Isn't there a lot of
stuff here?" Encourage the children to make comments about the items on
the table.
3. Continue the discussion by saying, "I wish there were a way for us to organize
the collage supplies so that everything is in the same place."
4. Let the children brainstorm for a while as they try to figure out different ways
to organize the materials. Gently lead them to the conclusion that it would
be useful to have a case with several drawers for storing the materials.
5. Show the children the machine screw case. Ask them if they think this would
solve the collage material storage problem.
6. Help the children figure out which materials should go in which drawer. Let
them fill the drawers with the materials.
7. Provide cardstock or cardboard for the children to design and decorate a
sign for the new storage cabinet. Attach the sign to the top of the box.
8. You now have a great collage storage unit that the children can use with
ease. Place it on top of art shelves.
9. After finishing the Collage Central Station, have a collage fest! Let the
children make a few collages and display them around the room.
Author Note: You might be tempted to label the individual drawers to indicate
which materials are stored there, but don't! They will inevitably get mixed up
and the children may feel a sense of failure that they could not keep them
separated.
Hint: Keep a supply of cut cardboard near the collage station. Cardboard is
easier for young children to use when creating collages, and it holds up to a
large amount of glue!