Dream Clouds—Reach for Your Goals!

Dream of the future and reach high for your goals! Create dream clouds that are a great way for groups to get to know each other.

1.

Get to know new friends better with this fun project. Brainstorm a list of your interests. What are you good at? What appeals to you? Take a poll to see how many classmates share the same interests.
2.

Choose three items from the list that are your favorites. Write them on paper using Crayola Colored Pencils. Use these interests to help you imagine some dreams for your future. Write several dream statements beginning with "My dream is…". Set goals for a new school or calendar year, for example.
3.

Form small groups to share your dreams with each other. Talk about what you could do to make your dreams come true.
4.

Cut a large cloud on white construction paper. Write one of your dream statements on the cloud with Crayola Washable Markers. Be sure to include your name.
5.

Cover your craft area with newspaper. Paint special effects around the edge of your cloud using Crayola Pearl It! and/or Glitter It! Tempera Mixing Mediums. Air-dry the cloud.
6.

With classmates, paint large craft paper sky blue with Crayola Washable Tempera Paints. Paint small clouds using Crayola Pearl It! Tempera Mixing Medium. Air-dry the sky.
7.

Glue Dream Clouds on the sky to display. Read aloud each dream. Agree on steps to take to reach each goal.

Benefits

Children communicate their interests and dreams using verbal, written, and graphic skills.
Children listen to gain information about and understand their peers.
Children realize the benefits of setting goals and trying to achieve them.

Create dual self-portraits. Fold large rectangular paper in half. Draw and/or paint today’s portrait on one half. Show the face achieving dreams on the others half. Write imaginary short stories about how goals were achieved. Publish portraits and stories
Read Chris Van Allsburg’s Just a Dream. Discuss Walter’s dreams for the future and how his experiences changed the way he acts in the present. Imagine the future.
What dreams do students have for the future of the planet? Create new dream clouds for a fresh display about the environment. Investigate ways to make these new dreams come true.
Assessment: Observe verbal skills as children share and discuss interests and dream statements. Review written work to assess children’ s written communication skills. How well did children collaborate to complete the finished display?