2010 Hands Around the World
Hands Around the World is an exchange of paper hands with classrooms around the world. All ages may participate. Home schooled children and others who are not in a classroom setting are also encouraged to join the exchange.
This project is an easy fit into any curriculum. It makes a great “rainy day project” or a fill-in activity when there is any kind of “wait time” when students are bored.
The Fall 2010 Hands Around the World asks a simple question:
What do you want to say to children in far away places?
Teachers (or parents) may use this question as a point of discussion with their students. You can take it in any direction you wish to fit it into your particular lesson plan.
The children will then make paper hands. They can create their own or use our template. They can paint, color, decorate or write on their paper hands. Be creative and let the students do what works for their level. It is perfectly acceptable to allow them to work with older buddies, or to take it home and do it with their parents or siblings.
Please do NOT laminate your paper hands (laminated hands may slice open envelopes in the mail and we have had envelopes arrive empty). Please do NOT use glitter, sequins, and other things that will fall off, make a mess or cause unnecessary weight. Hands should be no larger than 8x10 inches.
You can start on this project as soon as you wish. Hands will be mailed to Imagiverse around October/November. An exact deadline has not been decided on yet. Hands will be mailed to Imagiverse by the deadline and Imagiverse will then distribute them to participants. When you start working on the project, please notify the Activity Coordinator to let us know. You will receive the mailing address, confirmation of your participation and additional instructions via email.
When you send your hands, please send an email to the Activity Coordinator, that summarizes what your children discussed and what direction the project took in your classroom. Instructions for these emails can be found HERE. Your letters will be posted in the Countries of the World pages under your specific location. Please write something that will be interesting to students and their teachers, as well as non-participants visiting the Imagiverse.ORG website.
It will be interesting to see what is important to children around the world. Will they write or draw a picture about a typical day? Will they talk about sports or television? Will they share about their favorite activities? Will they address serious issues that are important to them? There are so many things they can share!
Teachers should check to make sure all submissions are appropriate for all ages of children. If your students are older, it is particularly important for you to review their submission. Our Imagiverse team looks at every single hand (we really enjoy that part of our job). If something is inappropriate we will not distribute it. Please don’t make us be the censors! (If you have questions about whether something is appropriate or not, please contact the Imagiverse Activity Coordinator.)
We hope you enjoy Hands Around the World!
