Materials
- rain stick (homemade or bought)
What to do
1. In advance, brush the inside of an empty sugar or pepper shaker with clear-drying PVA glue and sprinkle a thick layer of glitter inside, shaking to distribute glitter. Allow the glue to dry.
2. Next, design a label for your "magic dust" using colored pens to make it look as magical and mystical as you like. You could name it "magic dust," and maybe add your name ("Ms. Smith's Magic Dust") or give it a special property, for example, "Magic Napping Dust" or "Special Silence Dust."
3. Attach the label to the container and display it somewhere prominent in the classroom, out of the children's reach.
4. When it's naptime, cleanup time, or when children need to be quiet, simply walk around and "sprinkle" everyone very lightly with the magic dust to enchant them. The glitter on the sides of the shaker makes it look full and the glue holds it in place so it doesn't get all over the children.
5. Decide on a special symbol for stopping the "spell," such as a hand clap or magic word. Make sure the children know this before you sprinkle them!
-Eileen Lucas, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
