Send home a letter about your poncho project. Ask parents to purchase an inexpensive poncho, ask them to send their children in with a clean trash bag, or purchase ponchos or trash bags yourself (with donations from parents, if possible). Request volunteers to help you on the day of the project.
Cut a hole large enough for a child's head to fit through in the bottom center of each trash bag (if you are using trash bags). Cut arm holes on the sides. Use duct tape to secure the openings. Prepare plastic bags with the names of your students (one bag per student) so they can take home their finished products at the end of the day.
Lay out all materials in an organized way (such as in labeled bins) and create open work spaces for your students. Demonstrate how to decorate a poncho by sticking on adhesive alphabet letters or no-slip shower daisy decals. Wear your already decorated poncho while you demonstrate. Show students how the materials are set up and how many of each item they can use (if quantities are limited).
Instruct students to spread out their ponchos. Ask volunteers to help. Allow the children to begin decorating. When finished, allow all students a chance to share their ponchos with the class. Send the students home with their ponchos or keep them in school for a rainy day recess.