Bubble letters

I promised 1st graders that they could free paint the last day of class (they unanimously agreed this was what they wanted to do!) The more I thought about this, however, the more I didn't want them to have at the supplies with abandon as this often leads to lots of paper in the trash... Instead I had them write their first initial on a large sheet of paper as a bubble letter using oil pastels. They added minimal designs inside their letters with a reminder that white oil pastels could be used also, as it would show up when they paint over it. Then they were allowed to paint their letters however they liked. This worked so much better and their was no waste at the end. Most kids love anything having to do with their names, so this was a perfect one day lesson!