Stamped Picture Frame for the Refrigerator

You might be asking yourself,  how does stamping a picture frame encourage children to read.  The entire idea of our book, Jump Into Reading, is getting children excited about an activity and then encouraging them to read the instructions, recipes or search for information found in the books we've listed.  Reading is something all of us do everyday.  We read for information, we read instructions, we read to be enlightened on a subject or news story and sometimes, if we are lucky, we read for the pure enjoyment of just doing so. With that in mind - copy the instructions on stamping a picture frame.  Read through the instructions with your children.  Allow them to read and follow the instructions on their own.  Note: every test ever given in school has instructions that must be followed in order to achieve the correct answers.  Doing an art project isn't any different - you must follow the instructions if you want your project to turn out.    

Stamped Picture Frame

Materials Needed: Cardboard picture frame or matboard, craft paint, paint brushes, markers, sticky backed Fun Foam, scissors, wooden block, sticky backed magnetic strips, paper plate and a glue gun.

1 - Decide on the design you want to stamp around the outside of the picture frame. We measured and   placed a dot on the spots to be stamped so it was even.
2 – On the paper side of the Fun Foam draw the shape for your stamp.
3 - Cut out shape.
4 – Remove paper and place Fun Foam shape onto the wooden block.
5 - Squeeze out a dot, the size of a dime, of craft paint onto the paper plate, mix with 2 or 3 drops of water.
6 – Using the paint brush cover the cut out shape with the craft paint.
7 – Carefully place the stamp onto the picture frame. Press firmly, lift stamp off carefully.
8 – Continue stamping around the picture frame. Using markers fill in any blank spaces.
9 - Cut 4 pieces of magnetic strips 4” long.
10 – Remove paper from the back of the magnetic strips – place one magnetic strip on each of the four sides of the picture frame. You might need to use a hot glue gun to secure the magnetic strips to the frame.
11 – Place a picture or some art work behind the picture frame and place it on the refrigerator door.

Some fun books to read the week before Halloween.

The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin, Joe Troiano Author, Susan Banta, Illustrator.

Sometimes it's just very hard to be different especially when everyone else seems to be the same. Find out how Spookley the square pumpkin saved all his round pumpkin friends and was the hero.  Written in rhyming text - it's a fun book about how being different is OK.

Mouses's First Halloween, Lauren Thompson-author, Buket Frdogan - Illustrator

Little mouse is frightened by the noises he hears until he finds out where each noise is coming from.

Arthur's Halloween Costume, Lillian Hoban - author

It's Halloween morning and Arthur has spilled ketchup on his ghost costume.  Now, no one can figure out what he's suppose to be. Find out how Wilma's big sister helps Arthur.