The first month he had to create a “you.” The template was an empty person and the students had to create themselves on the page. The instructions include phrases such as “let your family help” and “use crayon, markers, ribbon or glitter.” Little did I know this would start an obsession.
Over the years, I have assembled a small stash of craft items to be used for class projects. They may not be the fanciest but they always seems to get the job done. Will’s older sisters have had similar projects. After Lizzie brought home a Christmas project and all I had to decorate her tree was candy and glue, I vowed I would be prepared in the future.
The craft drawer is filled with google eyes, stickers, ribbon, paper, paint, glue and glitter.
As I was spreading out the materials for that first project, Will was drawn to the plastic straws and glitter.
Will created a pair of shorts out of plastic straws, hair out of string, colored a red shirt with marker. He wanted to then cover everything with glitter. This first project we used glitter glue, glue with glitter mixed in. It allowed us to not have the crazy mess of spreading glue and sprinkling glitter. Will was very proud of his project and was excited to take it to school.
Another project was to fill a school house with his favorite things from school. He knew that he wanted cookies, lunch, computer and pictures of all his teachers. I helped him find pictures he could cut and color and glue on the school house. When he was done, he wanted to cover it all with glitter. I let him, but he had to use glitter glue again.
Every month since, he brings home his project, tells me how he wants it to look and it always ends with “and cover everything with glitter.”
I finally let him use regular glitter and glue after 4 months. He had to transform a gingerbread man into something that would help him hide from people trying to eat him. Will decided to turn the gingerbread man into Tic-Toc Croc from Jake and the Never Land Pirates. He got to use green glitter. He was so happy spreading glue and pouring glitter all over this Croc.
My favorite part of the projects is watching him concentrate on creating his masterpieces and then how it looks like a 4-year-old created it.
I think I also like the part where he lets me help. The day will come when he doesn’t want Mom to help with the projects. Until then I will help him put glitter on anything he wants!