Pre-Fourth Firework Fun

This summer has flown by and will continue. I needed a quick minimal prep activity that could easily fit my usual range of summer clients. I needed an activity that could be incorporated for students from 3-8 with minimal mess. I found an excellent firework craft that can be made from forks, paint and a piece of paper, and can be for all age groups. Here is the link to their version http://www.craftymorning.com/kids-fireworks-craft-using-fork/. For mine I found most things at a dollar store and a few things (the paper plate and forks) at the summer clinic I work at. Here are the pictures.

I picked paint that was a little goopy to minimize the spilling effect for the younger kids. Before starting, you also may want to put a mat under your painting area.

Here we go....

I ended up taking two prongs off the forks we were using to give a little extra ability to spread the paint. Either two or four prongs work. You can also do this activity with straws taped together.

This student wanted to add some glitter glue to make her fireworks stand out more.

Some students used white paper, some used blue and some used black.

We used this craft to work on the following:

Compare and Contrast- Naming the similarities and differences between the real fireworks to the picture they created-

Follow Directions- While making the craft I had students follow directions, using color, size, and sequential directions (before and after, first, next etc.) 

Articulation/Vocabulary: As we made the craft students formulated their own sentences or definitions. Here is a link to some great Independence Day Vocabulary or Articulation Words http://myvocabulary.com/word-list/independence-day-vocabulary/

Personal Wh-Questions: 

What do you predict will happen this weekend when it is the 4th of July? 

Are you excited about ________________?

What do you remember about last year? 

Why do you think we celebrate Independence day/4th of July? 

Do you get to use sparklers why or why not? 

Is making this craft something you like to do ? Why or why not? 

What do you think your mom, dad or siblings will think of it? 

Early Language: I was able to adapt this craft for a few really young students who were 2 or 2 1/2 to build more communicative functions requesting ( more, all done) commenting ( Look, that one) or for  simple labeling (colors, paper, paint,  glitter or fork). 

Overall this craft fit the bill for most of my students. I am also finding during summer therapy they are loving the craftivities. Hope you too can use this for some summer fun!