What a "Cool" Idea for a class project: An Igloo!

During the winter, there is a level of "boredom" in the classroom. Much needed recess can be limited due to bad weather conditions. Students start to show signs of being "antsy". When this starts to happen in your class, it is time for a project.

Here is a great project for not only your class, but even your school.

Start off by sending letters home with students explaining that the class is going to be be building an igloo out of milk jugs. Explain that the parents can help by sending in as many CLEAN milk jugs with its cap as they can. You will need gallon and quart milk jugs to complete the project. Share with them that your goal is about 500 milk jugs.

While you are waiting for the milk jugs to come in, you can have your students start to come up with a schedule of responsibilies for cleaning any milk jugs that are dirty, and keeping track of the number of milk jugs collected. This way all students are involved.

The students can also design fliers to put up around the school to get other classes and staff to help in their goal of 500 milk jugs.

Make sure you have glue guns and plenty of high quality glue stick. Depending on the age of your students, you may have to get adult helpers to do all the glueing together of the milk jugs.

You will need a large cardboard box, possibly a refrigerator box, or maybe two or three large cardboard boxes taped together for a base. Once you have the base, find it's center and mark it. Using the center, draw a large circle where the first row of jugs will be glued on. Don't forget to put in a space for the entryway.

As the jugs come in, start gluing them two at a time. Keep the tops off for now, the students can put them on later as you build up your igloo. You will want to glue them with the handles facing each other. Once you have enough jug sets done, you can start your first row.

You will glue your sets with the tops facing inward. Keep in mind that as your glue your sets around the circle, that you will have to angle each set to create the circle shape. Also, make sure to glue your sets not only to each other but also to the row underneath the row you are working on. The exception being your first row that you will glue to the cardboard.

Each row will have approximately 1 to 2 less jugs as you continue to build your igloo up. When your entryway has reached the height you need, glue a straight row across of jugs with quart size jugs on each side for support. Don't forget to have the students put the caps on each milk jug to save from any injuries.

When finished, have an igloo party inviting parents and any other classes or school staff who helped you and your students to accomplish this great project.



Continue reading on Examiner.com: Great igloo craft for the classroom - Albany Arts and Crafts |