I have a bunch of donated beads that I was hoping to use with my special needs classes. They absolutely LOVE beading. We used pipe cleaners, but you have to make sure the bead holes are large enough or it can be quite frustrating.
Step 1: Gather trays of various types of beads to let students sort through.
Step 2: Have students pick out 3 pipe cleaners of the same color (any color). Assist students with creating an "x" by twisting two pipe cleaners together at the center. Next, assist sutdents with twisting 3rd pipe cleaner around the center to create snowflake template.
Step 4: Let students select beads and begin by sliding the first bead to the center of snowflake. Keep adding one bead to each strand in a circular pattern, until each strand has about 7 beads.
Step 5: Assist students with twisting the end of each pipe cleaner into a loop to secure the beads. Twist extra pipe cleaners around tips of each strand for snowflake look. Staple each strand flat onto a square paper background and have students embellish with glue and glitter.
*for students who can easily bead, have them try to create a radial symmetrical pattern with their beads.
Love your ideas for special needs students. This is my first year teaching and I have a life skills class once a cycle. Sometimes it's hard to find a project that will hold their attention for 40 minutes! I think I'm going to try this snowflake project with them soon. I have tons of beads!!
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