Materials
Scissors
Sandpaper
Pictures of sea life
Crayons9" x 12" (22 cm x 30 cm) construction paper in light colors
Newspaper
Iron (adult only)
Markers
Instructions
1. One week before doing this activity, ask each set of parents to send in severalfamily photos. Make sure that each member of the family is represented(including pets!). Reassure the parents that the photos will be returnedunharmed.2. Copy each photo six times on a copier. Don't worry about making colorcopies black and white images are fine for this activity. Return the originalphotos to the parents.3. Give the copies of the photos to the children and ask them to cut them apartin any manner they choose. Encourage them to cut around, not through, thefaces.4. The children can put their photo pieces into containers.5. Give the children a piece of construction paper and some glue. Encouragethem to create a collage on the paper using their cut-up photos.6. While the collages are drying, interview the children about their familymembers. Ask them questions such as:What does your mom/dad like to do?What is one thing your mom always says?What is one thing your dad always says?What is your (sibling's) name?What does your (sibling) like to do?What is one thing your (sibling) always says?What do you like to do?What is one thing you always say?What is your pet's name?What does your pet like to do?7. Print the answers to the questions in story form on a 4" x 5" piece of paper.Help the children glue this paper to the middle of their collages. Let dry.8. Create a cover by making a collage that includes at least one photo of eachchild in the class. Let dry.9. Print "Our Families" on a piece of paper and glue it to the middle of thecover page. Let dry.10. Stack the pages together to form a book. Use a blank piece of paper for theback cover.11. Use the copier to make one copy of the book for each child in the class.12. Punch holes along the left edge of the book pages and bind them with yarnor heavy string. Or, you can staple along the left edge to bind the books.13. Send the books home with a note to parents asking them to read the bookaloud to their child.More to doInvite parents to visit for story time or a special activity. Some parents have talentsin areas such as art or drama and would love to share their skills with thechildren.
