Knighten, L. (2006).

Retrieved December 5, 2010 Irom

http://www.education.com/activity/article/paperweightpreschool/
Created by Aaron Grossman, December 2010
Grade 3 Reading

Water, corn syrup, and food coloring may sound unusual for an art profect. But you will love
using these things to make a special art profect. You get to explore what happens when different
liquids are mixed together' In addition, you can give this as a gift to someone you care about.

Make a Decorative Paperweight!
by Latrenda Knighten

What you will need:

O Baby Iood jar with lid or a small jar with lid
O Small decorative eraser
O Sequins
O glitter
O Corn syrup
O Food coloring
O Measuring cup
O Water
O Glue
O Hot glue gun
O Optional: small piece oI Iabric cut into a
circle shape and ribbon to decorate lid

Procedure:

1. Use your hot glue gun to glue the eraser inside the jar. A good place to put the eraser is at
the bottom oI the jar. (You can Iind cute designs in packages oI 20 30 Ior about a dollar at
most discount stores).
2. Once the eraser is glued inside oI the jar, you can begin to put together the paperweight.
Measure and pour / cup oI corn syrup into the jar.
3. Pour water into the jar to Iinish Iilling the
jar with liquid.
4. Decide what Iood coloring to add to the
mixture. Add a Iew drops until you get the
desired color.
5. Stir with a spoon or wooden craIt stick to mix the syrup, water, and Iood coloring.


decorative: adding beauty; pretty
mixture: two or more things put
together
sequin: a small piece oI shiny metal or
plastic

Knighten, L. (2006). Retrieved December 5, 2010 Irom
http://www.education.com/activity/article/paperweightpreschool/
Created by Aaron Grossman, December 2010
Grade 3 Reading

6. Now the creativity begins! Add sequins and/or glitter to Iurther decorate the paperweight.
You will probably notice that the sequins and glitter seem to move in 'slow motion when
added to the syrup and water mixture. Remember to be very careIul with the glitter and wash
your hands aIter handling the glitter beIore touching your Iace or eyes.

7. AIter all oI the contents have been added, apply glue with the hot glue gun around the inner
ring oI the jar lid and screw the lid onto the jar. Allow the jar to sit Ior several hours or
overnight to allow time Ior the glue to dry.
8. Once the glue has dried, you can pick up the paperweight. Then you can shake the jar to
watch the contents move Irom the top oI the jar to the bottom oI the jar in slow motion. It`s
like magic!
9. II desired, you can use the Iabric circle and ribbon to make a decorative lid Ior the
paperweight and then give it as a giIt.

elpful ints

O II you are using large jar, you may have to add more corn
syrup.
O Make sure you do not use too much Iood coloring. Too
much Iood coloring will mean that you cannot see through the jar
or the items in the jar.
O II you are aIraid oI the glass breaking, you can use a hard
plastic bottle.
















Knighten, L. (2006). Retrieved December 5, 2010 Irom
http://www.education.com/activity/article/paperweightpreschool/
Created by Aaron Grossman, December 2010
Grade 3 Reading

Answer the following questions about the passage ~Make a Decorative Paperweight!

1 The textboxes help the reader
understand

A unknown words
what to buy at the store
the things to do Iirst
D what words are most important
Which word is made up oI two or more
words?

A parents
paper
policeman
D pencil

What should you do aIter you have
added the glitter and washed your
hands?

A add sequins
label the jar
put the jar in a cool place to let the
materials Iall to the bottom oI the
glass
D glue the lid to the jar
Under which heading would Iind extra
ideas Ior your paperweight?

A What you will Need
HelpIul Hints
Procedure
D Step 2
What is the passage mainly about?

A making giIts Ior Iamily and Iriends
making a paperweight
drawing a paperweight
D drawing with colors
What is the first thing you should glue
to your jar?

A an eraser
a sequin
a material
D a cup


Answers

Knighten, L. (2006). Retrieved December 5, 2010 Irom
http://www.education.com/activity/article/paperweightpreschool/
Created by Aaron Grossman, December 2010


Question Answer Skill Standard
1 A Text Features 4.3.1
2 D Order oI Events 4.3.3
3 B Main Idea 4.3.3
4 C Structural Analysis 1.3.3
5 B Text Features 4.3.1
6 A Order oI Events 4.3.3