Aluminum and Coppertone Foil Name Plates

Our fourth graders have been working very hard on their name plates. Before starting this lesson, I taught the students how to draw block letters using rectangles. This method helps to make sure that all of the letters are the same size. The students practiced by writing each block letter of the alphabet. I made a very basic double sided hand out with an example of each block letter and then a box next to each to practice their own.  

When they were done, I gave them a 3"x12" piece of newsprint. Newsprint works best for this since it is thin and this helps to transfer the letters to the foil easier. Using a ruler, we divided the paper strips into 6-8 rectangles depending on how many letters are in their names. Names with six letters or less created 2 inch boxes and names with seven or eight letters used 1.5" boxes. In the "negative" space around the letters, each student was to create some sort of pattern or design. 

 Each student received a 3"x12" piece of 36 gauge foil for their project.  I taped their paper name design on top of their foil. We used old magazines underneath the foil sheets so that the students could trace their paper names onto the foil and have a soft surface to press into and create deeper lines.  

Next, we used black India ink on top of the foil. 

When the ink dried, we used steele wool to rub off some of the ink. 

Finally, we used black posterboard and metallic paint to created a background to mount our names to. 

I am very proud of my 4th graders!