Spinners

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.

1. Die-cut the whole circle from the Fraction Circles set using the lid or a side of a cardboard box.
2. Die-cut two whole circles from white construction paper.
3. 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.
4. Attach the four remaining red eighths to the other white circle, alternating red eighths with white spaces (Main Photo).
5. Attach the red and blue circle to one side of the cardboard circle, and attach the red and white circle to the other side.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Hold each end of the looped string, positioning the cardboard disc in the middle.
9. Make large circles with your arms to twist the string, and then pull the ends taut to begin spinning the disc.
10. 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).
11. Your students will enjoy creating new patterns on extra white discs. They may enjoy this so much they will start spinning out of control!