Conversation Can

Verse patterns and question patterns are available by downloading the pdf version of this project (see below).

Materials ††

• 10¾ oz. (empty) soup can, 1 per child ††
• Leopard print duct tape, one 9-in. piece per child ††
• Black cardstock, 1 sheet for every 2 children ††
• Tan construction paper, one 9x12-in. sheet for every 4 children ††
• Verse patterns 1, 2, 3, and 4 ††
• Yellow copy paper, 1 sheet for every 14 children
• †† Green copy paper, 1 sheet for every 18 children ††
• Blue copy paper, 1 sheet for every 26 children ††
• Red copy paper, 1 sheet for every 26 children ††
• Jute, one 12-in. piece per child ††
• Conversation Can Questions patterns 1, 2, and 3 ††
• Orange cardstock, 3 sheets per child

Tools and Basic Supplies ††

• Glue sticks ††
• Scissors ††
• Office paper cutter

Pre-Prep

1. Photocopy the verse patterns (1–4) onto the colored copy paper (pattern 1 on yellow, pattern 2 on green, etc.) and then quick cut to separate the verses, one of each per child. The kids will do the finish cutting.
2. Photocopy conversation can questions patterns onto orange cardstock, one 3-page set per child.
3. Apply the leopard print duct tape to the top of each can. Start on the outside, about ¾-in. from the top, and fold the excess into the can so that any sharp edges are covered. The tape folds over easier if you cut it in a couple places.
4. Cut the black cardstock into 3½x9-in. strips (assuming a 10¾ oz. can), one per child. Larger cans will require larger dimensions.
5. Cut the 9x12-in. tan construction paper into fourths, one 4½x6-in. piece per child.
6. Cut jute into 12-in pieces, one per child.

Teaching Tie-In

Show the sample craft and say:

Today you’re making a conversation can to use at mealtimes with your family. When you’re eating together, take turns drawing a card. Then everyone can have fun answering the questions!

You know, God cares a lot about our conversations. He cares about the words that come from our mouths. In fact, He uses the word mouth over fifty times in the book of Proverbs and the word lips forty times! He left a lot of important advice about our speech! Before we speak, we should think: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? God wants us to use our tongues in good ways. Have fun doing that as you use your conversation cans!

Class Time Directions

1. Take one end of the black cardstock and roll it up. Then unroll it and repeat, starting at the other end. Then unroll it again and apply glue stick liberally to the entire “curled” side.
2. Cover the can by wrapping it with the black cardstock. Then smooth it with your fingers so it fits snuggly. If the end isn’t staying down, peel it back a bit, apply more glue stick, and press it back into place.
3. Trim the four Bible verses as desired, then space them out on the piece of tan construction paper and glue into place. Then cut them out so there is a tan border around each verse.
4. Glue stick the verses randomly onto the can. It may help to curl them a bit first, to keep them from pulling away from the can.
5. Tie the jute onto the can, near the top, using a square (double) knot. Trim the ends, if necessary.
6. Cut out the orange question strips and place inside the can.

Tip Corner

• Black 9x12-in. construction paper can be substituted for black cardstock and will accommodate 3 children per sheet, rather than 2. It’s less expensive and curls a little easier, but its color isn’t quite as vibrant.
• The tan construction paper can be omitted to simplify this craft.
• Send this craft home in a lunch sack, so question strips aren’t lost.

Super Simple Idea

Try the following Oriental Trading Company craft kit. (Call 1-800-875-8480 or visit www.orientaltrading.com.)

• AMAV Rock Painting Kit (IN-13663343)—Paint words and symbols on your rocks that have to do with today’s teaching (e.g., “Be kind!”, “Guard your lips!”, “Don’t be a big mouth!”, “Tame your tongue!”). Manufacturer recommends this for ages 6 and up.