Materials
Liquid starch
Water
Paint cups
Several 1" (2 cm) flat-tip paintbrushes
Tissue paper in a variety of colors
Permanent black marker
Large sheets of paper (as large as space allows,approximately 2' x 2' (60 cm x 60 cm))Scissors
Tape
Instructions
1. Pour liquid starch and water into the paint cups (three parts starch to one part water).
2. Place the cups, paintbrushes, and tissue paper on a table or floor.
3. Explain to the children that they need a sign to mark their classroom door. Help them develop inviting words to put outside their door, such as "welcome" or "come on in."4. Using a black marker, write the words in huge block letters on the large paper. Write only one letter on each sheet.
5. Demonstrate the technique using one of the letters.
6. Show them how to paint inside the lines with starch. Then, place a torn piece of tissue paper on the starch and paint over it with more starch. This gives the letter a look of decoupage.
7. Divide the children into small groups. Give one letter to each group to work on together.
8. Allow the letters to dry. Draw over the outlines with the black marker, if necessary.
9. Cut out the letters.
10. Ask the children for help as you tape the inviting sign outside the classroom.More to doEncourage the small groups of children to decide what color to make their letter.