The Planets

• A mobile project can help students identify and understand the planets of our solar system. Supply students with two 12-inch long dowel rods, string, construction paper, scissors, markers and small white self-adhesive labels. Have students draw and cut out planets with the construction paper to draw pictures of the planets, then use the self-adhesive labels to label the bottom of each. Assist students in crossing the dowel rods in the center, then use string to connect the dowel rods together in a figure "8" pattern, tying off the string once the dowel rods are secure. The students then attach 18-inch pieces of string to each end of the dowel rods with tape and to the half way point along each dowel rod, as needed. Tape each planet to the end of each piece of string, then knot one additional piece of string to the top center of the mobile for hanging.
  
  

Animals

• This mobile art project helps children learn about farm animals. Have each student paint a dowel rod with water-based acrylic paint and a brush. Once the paint is dry, assist the students in tying an 18-inch piece of ribbon to each end of the dowel rod. Have students paint pictures of two of their favorite farm animals on construction paper and allow the pictures to dry. Attach each picture to the end of each ribbon with tape, then tie an 8-inch length of string to the center top of the dowel rod. Hang the mobile around the classroom and have each student get up and talk about their mobile and the animals that they have painted.
  
  

Alphabet

• As young children learn the alphabet, provide them with a mobile project that will help them memorize it. Provide each student with the inside loop of an embroidery hoop in either plastic or wood. If wood, have the students paint the hoop with water-based paints and paintbrushes. Once the paint has dried, supply the students with 26 pieces of string in a variety of lengths. Connect one end of each piece of string to the loop with tape, allowing the other end of the string to hang down from the loop. Give the students a supply of cut-out letters of the alphabet. You can make these in bulk with stencils if you wish. The students should attach each letter of the alphabet with tape to a string on their mobile.
  
  

History

• Students can demonstrate their knowledge of a history unit by creating a mobile that reflects important historical moments of the time period. Provide the students with wooden craft sticks. Have the students connect the craft sticks together at the ends with glue, forming a circular shape with the sticks. Allow the glue to dry, then paint the craft sticks as desired. When the paint has dried give the students string to cut and attach to the frame of the mobile as needed -- one string for each moment they wish to display. Then have the students draw and paint pictures of the moments in the historical unit that they found most interesting, and attach one picture to each string on the mobile.