Month: May 2011

Old School Jump-Rope Rhyme

Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack

All dressed in black, black, black

With silver buttons, buttons, buttons

All down her back, back, back

he asked her mother, mother, mother

For fifty cents, cents, cents

To see the elephant, elephant, elephant

Jump the fence, fence fence

They jumped so high, high, hig

 They touched the sky, sky, sky

And didn’t come back, back, back

Till the fourth of July, July, July

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Paper Mache Basics

  • tear newspaper into strips
     
  • HINT:  always make the last layer of mache with white computer paper or paper towel so that painting is easier.  It takes FAR less paint.  If you don’t do this, consider priming the project with white acrylic paint before you let the kids at it with the poster paint
     
  • Make paper mache paste (there are many different options):
    • OPTION 1:  3/4 white glue to 1/4 water (or if using a good, thick glue, like elmers you can do 1/2 and 1/2)
    • OPTION 2:  COOK METHOD:  1 part flour to 5 parts water… boil about 3 minutes and let cool  (my favorite!  it’s the cheapest method and is nice and smooth)
    • OPTION 3:  1 part flour to 1 part water.  Stir together.
    • NOTE:  Humidity really does play a factor!  If you live somewhere very humid, add less water (up to 1/4 less).  I live in a very dry area.
       
  • NOTE:  if you add a couple tablespoons of salt to your paper mache it will not mold. 
  • Use up to 4 layers, No More.
  • Let dry COMPLETELY

 more suggestions here