*PROJECTS*

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Spider Bulletin Board!

I love Halloween and I love decorating. I was so thrilled that I was back to work as a preschool teacher just in time for the fun holidays :) This bulletin board is super easy and it gets the kids involved in decorating the room for Halloween. 

Materials:
  • Black Butcher Block Paper
  • White Construction Paper
  • Glue
  • Glitter
  • Black Sharpie
  • Stapler
  • White Butcher Block Paper
  • Shaving Cream
  • Black Paint
   Start by covering the bulletin board with white butcher block paper or sheets of white construction paper if you don't have access to butcher block paper.  Next, starting in a corner, draw several diagonal lines with a black sharpie to create the base of the spider web  then connect them with swoop shaped lines to finish the web.
    To create the small spiders on the web, trace the kids hands back to back on white construction paper. Cut out the kids' hands the day before you are going to paint them. Now that they are cut, let them paint them a mixture of shaving cream, Elmer's glue and black paint. Use one part glue to two parts shaving cream then add in paint to get the black color you desire.   I let my kids paint the hands with q-tips but a paint brush will work, too.
   To make the large spider, start by cutting two large circles out of black paper.  Staple the sides of the spider ever 1/2"or so. Leave the top of the circle un-stapled until you stuff it with scrap paper or anything you can find that is light weight (packing peanuts are great, too).  Once he is stuffed, staple the top shut and do the same process for his head, just a smaller circle.  Now, cut 8 strips of butcher block paper for the legs; 4 long, 4 short (and two for the fangs if you wish).  Roll them up length wise so they are 3 dimensional and set them aside until you are ready to assemble the spider.  
   Use Elmer's glue to create the spots, or any design you wish, on the spider and dust it with glitter. Allow it to dry before you staple it to the bulletin board.  Create the eyes by using white and black circles from the left over paper.
   Staple the large portion of the body to the bulletin board and continue with the staples until you are sure he is securely up there.  Now attach the head and legs the same way, as well as the kids spider hands! 
   My kids were so excited when they came in the next day and this spider was there to greet them. Happy Halloween, everyone!