I would like to make a paper mache' tree for my classroom for the kids to sit under in the reading corner. I would love to see some ideas. Does anyone have any pictures of theirs? Thanks!
Last year I made a chicka chicka boom boom tree for my classroom reading center. I had my husband help but it was really simply. He got 4" pvc pipe and 2 8' two by fours and cut one in half to make a cross for the bottom stand. Then you get a big umbrella and ripe the fabric off. You place the umbrella into the top of the cylinder and cut your leaves out of bullentin board paper and just hot glue then to the rods of the umbrella. You wrap your pvc in burlap, you can find different colors at walmart for cheap. Then get abc magnets and hot glue them on the tree they will stay. I made coconuts out of the left over bulap and stuffed them with paper. I will take a pic of it tomorrow when I go to my classroom for you. You can make the tree whatever size you want to. It was a big hit with the other teachers. I also put small sand bags on the stand so I knew it would not fall and covered the bottom with the rest of the burlap so it loooked like sand. The tree is sturdy with out the sand bags but I did not want to take a chance. Hope this helps.....
another way is to put a cardboard carpet tube you get from a carpet store in a christmas tree stand. Cut long palm fonds from green bb paper and stuff one end into the top of the tube. You will need to weight the stand if this is a long term tree. I stood mine next to a bb so I could run a string around it and tack to the frame.
I attached a picture of our hut and tree. I did a rainforest theme for the last 2 months of school. The kids loved it. I'm hoping to add to it this year.
I bought the tent for my hut from ebay. (only$10!) I wanted something that was open on all three sides so I had a good view of students in the tent. I had a few very helpful students cut brown paper into squares and then add the fringe. We made the vines from brown paper grocery bags. I drew the leaves on paper and cut them out. It was a lot of fun to put together. Also a lot of work! But it was well worth it. I chose a student each day that was able to do their work in the tent, as long as they stayed on task. I can't wait to do my rainforest unit again!
Last edited by pxydst07; 07-04-2008 at 08:18 AM..
Reason: addtl info
Weezer- did you make your hut? I love it! It gave me the idea to use grass skirts or something like that to cover up my hut. It might save me some time....I agree...any tips would help out!
I bought the hut in the above picture at Big Lots. However, I used to have a hut that I made and I used a grass table skirt for the top. I attached a pic of this hut!
Here's my tree from last year. I made it in the corner of my library. I used aluminum screening (like window screen material) to form the base and limbs, which I hot glued to the wall. Then I covered the base with torn strips of brown packing paper, which I adhered with a very watered down glue. Then I glued branches, vines, etc. to the top. The kids really loved it! I had to move rooms this year, so I took it down. I didn't keep it (I'm going to do the carpet roll type tree, which looks more like a palm tree, to me), but it was sturdy enough that I could have moved it.
How did you make the hut with the grass table skirt? I think it's really cute! I would like to have a hut in my classroom, but the ones you buy already made are so expensive.
Myoung, how did you make the trunk and limbs look so smooth? I cant see the different pieces of paper on there! And the screen, did you pre-form everything and then put it up? Or did you glue it to the wall as you went? And one more thing...when you took it off the wall, did the glue take off the paint or anything? Thanks...it looks awesome!
Do you have more pictures of your room when you used this hut? What was your theme? I want to do a Louisiana theme which can be so many things, I wanted to do the outdoor stuff like fishing.
Thanks for posting the pictures!
I am in the process of making a paper mache tree for my reading area. I've been working on it for quite a while. I started out with a cardboard mailing tube. I've just been covering it with paper mache. I haven't decided on how to add branches yet. I'm just trying to get the trunk sorta thick first. Then I'll have to figure out how to get it to stand on its own and what to do about leaves! Looks like I've got a long way to go!
07-02-2008, 05:27 PM
I would like to have a hut in my classroom, but the ones you buy already made are so expensive.
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