Preparation:

• Die, or Foam Die with Dry Erase Marker
• Foam Die= With a dry-erase marker, draw 2 rectangles, 2 squares and a heart on one die. Or any combination of 3 shapes.
• Set up on a table:
  • A paper for each child
  • Glue for each child
  • Some of each shape to glue onto papers.
  • Other random items children can glue onto their art.

Game benefits and directions:

• Exercise. The benefit of a foam die from the $store, they can throw it within a controlled area. They become really excited, every turn, to read their number.
• Following Directions and Memory:F  After the child rolls the dice, I have him leave it until he identifies the number and yells it.  This helps the child follow a direction and remember while he walks back to his art paper.
• Find a shape paper that matches the shape that he rolled,  and glue it on the paper. Repeat after each turn.
• After 5 or 10 turns, or when the children appear bored, the game ends.
• Give child(ren) the option of finishing their art by gluing random items provided onto their paper.

SQUARES VS. RECTANGLES; OUR version

I chose squares and rectangles because they were challenged in telling the difference between those two shapes. I have observed they memorize easier if I teach using comparison.  I chose an easily recognized shape for the third shape, so they only had to really THINK for square vs rectangle.

I allowed the children to both run and see what the other child had rolled, however, we only had 2 children playing this. I doubt I would allow more then 2 children at a time run to look at the dice.

I set up liquid glue and a paintbrush for each child.  The paintbrush helps with finemotor, provides less glopping and mess.  I try to alternate between using glue sticks or liquid glue with our art. Also, I don’t have to say “don’t use too much” because the paintbrushes are small. 

$store paintbrushes, elmer’s glue, or Aileen’s tacky glue for bulkier items like poms.

I use recycled container lids to pour paint and glue in. Jar lids are an example of the best depth/width.

The random items I placed out were in my “bits and pieces” box. A photobox I keep misc crafty type bits like leftover scraps of paper, google eyes, stickers and seasonal items that we didn’t use all of=not enough to save, and small items I find floor after official cleanup. HAHA. 

Everytime we play this game its a big success to get their energy out in a focused, non rambunctious way. Moving from the game to finish the art is an easy transition.