Wood Fences in the Arts & Crafts Period

Painted Fence

• Use a full-sized picket fence to embellish your classroom. Use acrylic paint to decorate pre-assembled fencing, and let each student paint a section. Have each student decide what he wants to do with his section, or select a theme beforehand, and have each student do his own interpretation. For example, decide on flowers as a theme, and allow each student to paint the flower or flowers of his choosing. Once the paint dries, hang the fence on the wall or use it to designate a separate section, such as a reading corner, in the classroom.

Wall Plaques

• For an easy craft for any age group, create wall plaques using individual slats from a picket fence. Cut the slats apart before the crafting period. Make each slat 3 inches wide and 18 inches long. Leave the pointed end of the slat intact. Paint each a solid color or a pattern, using acrylic paints. Once it's dry, paint a word or phrase on the slat, such as a last name or an inspirational word. Hang the finished slats on the wall, using a hammer and nails.

Birdhouse

• Use wooden craft fencing and unpainted birdhouses from the craft-supply store. Alternatively, let the students make their own birdhouses. Cut the craft fencing for each birdhouse into the sizes needed to cover each side. Attach the fencing with glue or nails. Paint or stain the outside of each birdhouse. Hang the birdhouses either outside for the birds or inside as decoration.

Garden Stakes

• Remove the individual slats from a picket fence, and cut them down to 6-inch pieces, with the points still attached, to create individualized garden stakes. To decorate the stakes, paint them a solid color. Then write the name of a fruit, vegetable or flower on each. Alternatively, paint an image of the plant. Once the paints dry, insert the stakes in the ground to designate the vegetables grown near each stake.