Supplies Used: Adhesive, Cardboard box, Construction paper, Floss threader, Pencil or bamboo skewer, Push pin, Scissors, String
The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.
- Die-cut the whole circle from the Fraction Circles set using the lid or a side of a cardboard box.
- Die-cut two whole circles from white construction paper.
- Die-cut the eighths circle from red and blue paper, and attach to one white circle alternating colors (Main Photo). This will leave four red eighths.
- Attach the four remaining red eighths to the other white circle, alternating red eighths with white spaces (Main Photo).
- Attach the red and blue circle to one side of the cardboard circle, and attach the red and white circle to the other side.
- Poke two holes close to the center of the embellished cardboard circle with a push pin, and widen the holes with a pencil or bamboo skewer.
- Cut a 3’ length of string or cord, and thread each end through each of the center holes. (It helps to use a floss threader.) Tie the two loose ends into a knot.
- Hold each end of the looped string, positioning the cardboard disc in the middle.
- Make large circles with your arms to twist the string, and then pull the ends taut to begin spinning the disc.
- Alternate pulling and relaxing your arms to keep the disc spinning fast enough to see the blending of the two colors on both sides of the disc (Main Photo).
- Your students will enjoy creating new patterns on extra white discs. They may enjoy this so much they will start spinning out of control!
