Materials:

• store-bought wind chime (if available)
• self hardening clay or salt dough
• branches, coat hangers, or wood
• wax paper
• cardboard, sturdy paper, or Styrofoam plates
• string, yarn, or fishing line
• cookie cutters, plastic knives, rolling pins, spatula
• craft sticks and toothpicks

Objective: Children will develop creative-thinking and fine-motor skills as they use clay to design wind chimes.

ACTIVITY

1 Ask children if they have ever seen a wind chime. You may want to share a store-bought wind chime with children so they can explore the different sounds they create. Take the wind chime outdoors and place it in an area where the wind can blow it.

2 Explain to children that they will be using clay to create their own wind chimes. Provide children with clay and clay tools to create shapes and designs. Assist children in rolling their clay into sheets that are approximately 1/2 inch thick. Encourage children to cut out shapes using cookie cutters or their own designs. Children can use toothpicks to lightly draw designs into their clay shapes. When they have completed their shapes, assist children in making a hole in the top of each shape for hanging.

3 Provide each child with a sheet of cardboard or paper or a Styrofoam plate. Cover each plate with wax paper. You may need to use a spatula to carefully place the children's shapes onto their plates. Add children's names or initials to their plates to identify their work.

4 Invite children to think of how they want to suspend their clay pieces. Would they like to use wire hangers, strips of sanded wood, or a piece of a branch? Once the clay has dried, children can work in small groups to complete their wind chimes. Provide paint for children who may want to paint their clay pieces. Assist children in placing the fishing line or yarn through the holes in the tops of their clay designs. The children can then tie them onto the branches or wire hangers. Discuss how the clay pieces must be even so they will bump against each other when the wind blows. Wire hangers can be hung directly from a branch. Children will need to attach sting or yarn to their wood or branches so the wind chime can be suspended from a tree.

Cirriculum Connection

Science: Invite children to think about other materials that could be used to create sounds when hung outside. Record children's ideas on chart paper. Assist them in gathering some of their suggested materials so they can test their ideas. Children can gather materials from the classroom, outdoors, or home. Provide them with string or yarn so they can suspend the various materials. Engage children in discussions about their observations and record their conclusions.