Materials
- Sandpaper
- Construction paper in light colors
- Scissors
- Iron
- Newspaper
What to do
1. Beforehand, cut a circle for each child from the sandpaper, about 2" (5 cm) in diameter. Cut the same number of circles from the construction paper, about 2" (5 cm) larger than the first circle.
2. Have the children color the rough side of their sandpaper circle. Tell them to press hard and color the entire circle.
3. When they finish coloring, have the children place their circle, colored side down, on the construction paper circle. Show the children how to center their sandpaper circle on the larger one.
4. Set up the iron on a thick layer of newspaper. The iron should be handled by adults only.
5. Iron the colored circle onto the larger circle, then set the sandpaper and construction paper circles aside to cool.
6. When they have cooled, lift the sandpaper circles from the paper, leaving behind the image of the sandpaper planet.
7. Trim your paper planets, if desired, then hang them from the ceiling.
More to do
- Dramatic play: Use a silver thermal camping blanket for a space tent and pretend to live on another planet.
- Language: Pretend the class is planning a trip to another planet. Ask the children to list the items they will need to bring with them. Have them dictate a letter to a friend they hope to meet in outer space. Assemble their letters in a book.
- Science: Talk to the children about what plants need to live and how planet Earth supports life; in an experiment, put a plant in the freezer, another under a dark cover, and a third in light, but do not water. Predict what will happen, then keep a record of the children's observations.
-Linda S. Andrews, Sonora, CA
