Materials
blank paper
hole punch
string or yarn
scissors
construction paper
glue
Instructions
1. Read the book I.Q. Goes to School by Mary Ann Fraser. Each month I.Q.,
the classroom pet mouse, learns and practices his skills.
2. Make a special cutting book for each child. Punch holes in each sheet of
paper and tie the pages together with string or yarn. Make a page for
each month of the school year.
3. Each month, ask the children to cut out a shape and decorate it. Provide
the outline of the shapes for children to cut out. Glue the decorated
shapes in each child's book.
4. These books document how the children's skills grow throughout the
year.
5. Use the ideas below or use your own ideas:
* September: Children cut an apple from red paper and glue on a yarn
or pipe cleaner worm.
* October: Children cut out a pumpkin from orange paper and draw or
cut a face.
* November: Children cut out a turkey shape and assorted colored
feathers. Have them glue the feathers on the turkey.
* December: Children cut out basic shapes (stars, candy canes) and
decorate the shapes with white "frosting" (glue) and real sprinkles to
make holiday cookies.
* January: Fold a tissue paper circle into four pieces. Invite the children
to hold the middle corner and cut pieces from the folded paper. Have
them open the "snowflakes" and decorate with glue and white glitter
or salt to make them sparkle.
* February: Fold pink and red paper in half. Draw a half heart on the
fold of each paper. The children cut on the line, open the paper, and a
heart will appear.
* March: Children cut a kite shape and add a ribbon tail, or they cut out
a shamrock.
* April: Children cut out a raindrop shape. Provide glue and blue glitter
for decorating.
* May: Children cut out assorted flower shapes. (Have younger children
cut tulips while older children will be able to cut flowers with petals.)
* June: Invite the children to cut out a yellow sun (using no template).
* July: Demonstrate
how to cut a fish
shape by cutting a
triangle from a circle
shape. Glue one
point of the triangle
to the back as the
back fin. Decorate
the fish with
confetti.
* August: Each child
cuts out a rectangle,
and a red, yellow,
and green circle.
Show them how to
glue the circles on
the rectangle to make a stoplight.
More to do Talk about scissor safety.
Related song (Tune: "Mary Had a Little Lamb")
Fingers on the bottom, thumbs on top,
Thumbs on top, thumbs on top.
Fingers on the bottom, thumbs on top,
Cutting with a scissor.
Open and shut the scissor's mouth
Scissor's mouth, scissor's mouth.
Open and shut the scissor's mouth,
Cutting with a scissor.
