Windsock

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of construction paper that is 6” by 18”.

2. Decorate the piece of paper with markers, stickers, paper cut-outs, sequins, and Elmer’s 3D Washable Paint Pens™. Let the paint dry completely.

3. Cut nine strips of crepe paper that are each 26” long.

4. Glue the crepe paper streamers to the back of the construction paper along the bottom edge. Let the glue dry completely.

5. Roll the construction paper into a tube. Glue or staple the edges together.

6. Cut a piece of string that is 30” long. Knot both ends. Staple the knotted ends of the string to the sides of the tube to make handles.

7. Hang up the windsock on a porch or patio where it will be protected from rain and strong winds. Watch it glide in the gentle breezes!

Teaching Tips:
• Encourage students to do all of the measuring for this activity. First, have students measure in the customary unit of inches. Then, have students measure in the metric unit of centimeters. Discuss the differences. Talk about the use of fractions when dealing with measurements.

• Talk about wind with your students. Discuss how wind power is being used as a form of alternative energy because it is cleaner and healthier for the planet. Introduce important vocabulary words, such as wind, barometer, pressure, front, atmosphere, meteorologist, and clouds. Have students use each vocabulary word in a sentence.

• Talk about the weather each day as part of your classroom routine. Ask students to describe the weather outside.

• Have students brainstorm a list of the different types of weather. Discuss each one. Encourage students to draw pictures of the different weather types.