I've done this project with Kindergartners, but I'm sure it will work just as well with Pre-K or Special Needs students.
- large selection of miscellaneous scraps of paper, material, feathers, ribbon, pom poms, etc.
- any sized cardboard covered in aluminum foil or foil paper (various types of heavy-stock paper could be used as well)
- white glue (NOT glue sticks)
- index cards or scraps of writing paper
- a bucket, hat or other container
- Have the students' tables set up ahead of time with the necessary materials.
- Each student gets a piece of covered cardboard of their own (be sure to label with their names before they start the project).
- I usually have two students share glue bottles and other supplies. This promotes the idea of sharing and being good neighbors.
- Set out the mixed materials on a plate on the table (one per pair of students). Be sure to offer a good variety of materials on each plate.
- Begin by discussing texture ("the way things feel") with students. I usually have them describe how their clothing feels to get things started.
- Have each student give you a word to describe how something feels (scratchy, slippery, fluffy, smoochey...), write each word onto an index card (no matter how ridiculous it may sound to you) and put the card into the bucket. Continue until each student has suggested a word.
- Send students to their seats (unless they're already there, obviously).
- Explain to students that you are going to pull a texture word out of the bucket and that the students will pick one material from the plate the they think feels like that word. For example, when you pull out scruffy, they have to find a material from the plate that feels scruffy. Be sure to stress that they don't need to pick what their neighbor has picked. Things feel different to different people.
- Have students glue their material to the shiny boards (you may or may not have to review proper glue bottle use, depending on how frequently your students use glue bottles. This step can get pretty messy).
- Continue these steps until all the words have been used.
- If time allows, discuss how each collage is different and why. Talk about why it's okay that each student may have selected a different material for each word.