Cotton Swab Skeleton

Materials

1. photocopies of the skeleton
2. scissors
3. 9" x 12" colored construction paper
4. white glue
5. cotton swabs

Instructions

1. Make photocopies of the skeleton (see illustration) for each child. Cut out the head and pelvic region of each photocopy.
2. Help the children glue the head and pelvic region onto construction paper in any color, trying to be anatomically correct.
3. Ask the children to dip the cotton swabs into white glue and glue them onto the construction paper with the skeleton head and pelvis, making the bones of the body. Display a finished skeleton to help guide them, and help them as needed.
4. As an extra counting exercise, write this sentence on the finished project: "I have 206 bones in my body, but this skeleton has ___ bones." Ask the children to count the cotton swabs on their pictures and write the number in the space provided.

Instructions

1. Make a spaceship with the children using a large refrigerator box.
2. Encourage the children to paint and decorate the cardboard box to look like
a spaceship.
3. Cover the walls in the designated area with large butcher paper. Let the
children decorate the paper with stars and planets. Attach twinkling lights to
the walls and ceiling.
4. Encourage the children to dress like space explorers by putting on helmets
and boots.
5. Hang posters of space, add a basket of books about space, and encourage
the children to play in the spaceship!