Family “Find-Out Jar” A Thanksgiving-Christmas Family Assignment

Mealtime is a good time for families to talk.  But sometimes it's hard to get started.  This project may help.  Have your students bring in a clean glass jar (large wide-mouthed pickle, jelly, or peanut butter jar, for example).

In class, you'll need: several pieces of colored tissue paper, a bottle of glue, aluminum foil to pour individual amounts of glue for each student, brushes, scissors, and strips of construction or notebook paper.

1. Cut the tissue paper into small squares
2. Paint a section of the jar with glue
3. Stick tissue squares onto the jar.
4. Overlap the squares adding more glue as needed.
5. Repeat until the jar is covered with colored paper.
6. Paint a thin layer of glue over the whole jar.
7. Allow the jar to dry overnight.
8. Add another thin layer of glue if the paper isn't totally covered.

Now give each student a strip of colored paper or notebook paper.  Direct them to write one question they'd like to ask their family members.  For example: "Where would you go on vacation if you could go anywhere in the world?"; "What would you do on that vacation?"; "What's your favorite city?"; or "What's your favorite thing about being Armenian and your least favorite?"

Then send home the jar with the one question already inside it along with the following directions:

Dear Sunday School family! Your child is bringing home a "Family Find-Out Jar" for you to use over the upcoming holidays.  At an appropriate meal, spend a few minutes with every member of the family writing five or more questions they'd like to have everyone answer (use strips of paper like the one your child already prepared in the jar).

You could ask, for example: "Where would you go on vacation if you could go anywhere in the world and what would you do on that vacation?"; "What’s your favorite city?"; "What's your favorite thing about being Armenian and your least favorite?"; or "If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?"

Put all your questions in the jar and, at any meal when you're all together, pick one and have everyone take turns answering it.  When the jar is empty write new questions! Your family will learn more about each other.