Teacher Kim Perez sends this lesson plan to you from Stella Hills Elementary in Bakersfield California.

Objectives:

What You Need:

• colored construction paper
• fish pattern
• pencils
• scissors
• glue
• large "wiggly" eyes
• large Ziploc® baggies
• food coloring (various colors)
• rubbing alcohol
• elbow macaroni
• measuring cup
• old shirts
• several box lids

What You Do:

1. Measure designated amount of macaroni and pour into baggie.

2. Teacher will add small amount of food coloring and larger amount of alcohol to baggie.

3. Students gently mix by turning closed baggie upside-down several times (it's best to do this in very small groups).

4. Teacher will drain excess food coloring mixture.

5. Pour colored pasta into box lids and spread out. Let dry overnight.

6. Trace pattern and cut out fish (two for each student).

7. Glue colored macaroni on fish as scales. (Be sure that macaroni is glued on second fish so that they'll match when stapled together.)

8. Glue eyes.

9. Staple together and hang from ceiling.

"I make enough macaroni so that leftovers are can be used as math manipulatives."
-Kim

Recommended Products:

Macaroni Shapes 12oz. Natural-colored pasta in a variety of shapes. Cover with paint or glitter for stringing or gluing for versatile art projects. Create 3-D art in minutes! 12-oz. bag. 1/2" to 1-1/2".

Colored Collage Macaroni, 1lb. Add color and texture to your next project. Great alternative to sand art; use for collage or stringing. Colored with non-toxic food dye. 1-lb bag. 3/4" to 2".

Golderoni, 1/2lb. Ready-to-go pasta shapes are all ready to add to your favorite collage project or use them to decorate picture frames, door hangers and more. Non-toxic. 1/2 lb.