Materials
Tie-dye strings (strings with tie dye solution on them find them at craft stores)T-shirts with a pocket, one for each child
Fabric paint pen in any color
Instructions
1. Send a questionnaire home with each child asking the parents to help their child describe five or six things she can do at home. For example, "I can ride my two wheeler, I can help set the table, I can give my dog a bath," and so on. Ask them to decide both things the child does to help and things the child enjoys doing.
2. Give each child a piece of tie-dye string and a T-shirt. Show them how to bunch up the T-shirt and wrap the string around it.
3. Follow the directions on the tie-dye string package to create a tie-dye pattern. Help children with the actual tying part, but encourage them to make the designs on their own. Allow the shirts to dry completely.
4. Using a fabric paint pen, write "Marvelous Me" on the edge of the T-shirt pocket. For a splashier design, write "Marvelous Me" diagonally across the front of the shirt.
5. On the back of the shirt, write in large type, "I can..." Underneath that, in smaller print, list three of the things the children can do from their list. (To protect the front of the shirt from the pen bleeding through, place a grocery bag inside the shirt before writing on it.)6. Encourage the children to wear their shirts with pride!Note: Remember never to print the child's name on any visible place on the shirt.More to doFind things around the classroom that the children are able to do. Notice what the children are able to accomplish on their own. Make a big deal about small things. For example, "Wow, Clark, you sure can put your shoes on fast!" When the children respond to a request with "I can't...", encourage them to say "I can try..." instead. Stay with them as they attempt to accomplish the task. Offer lots of praise and encouragement. Be ready to step in and help out if needed.Literacy: Make a class book. Ask the children to illustrate a page on which you can print their "I can..." items from their list.
