Clued into Reading Headquarters
Identify the main entrance to your Clued Into Reading Headquarters with these eye-catching decorations.

Cost: $25
Time: 4 Hours

Here's what you need for all items below:

• Light blue paper, enough to cover doorway, plus 2" on each side of door
• Colored markers
• Yellow construction paper
• 1 sheet yellow foam
• 1 sheet yellow poster board
• 2 sheets black poster board
• 1 sheet red poster board
• 1 sheet bright blue poster board
• 1 sheet light blue poster board
• 2 sheets 11" x 17" white paper
• Light blue chalk
• Orange acrylic paint and paint brush
• 4' of chain from hardware store
• Scissors
• Clear packing tape
• Double stick tape
• Glue stick
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Door
Here's what you do:

• Measure the door and cut a piece of light blue paper to cover it fully, making sure to cut a hole in the paper for the doorknob.
• Cover the door with paper, taping it on the sides with clear packing tape.
• Draw Inspector Digit on the paper-covered door, using colored markers and these patterns:

  Inspector Digit Body (PDF)

  Face & Feet (PDF)

  Hands & Arms (PDF)

• Cut out yellow construction paper for his hat, briefcase, and shoelaces; glue to the door with glue stick.
• To simulate a glass reflection, apply strips of white paper, about 1" wide, to light blue paper using glue stick.
• Use double stick tape or glue stick to adhere letters to the door, using these patterns:

  Door Letters (PDF)

  Eye Read Pattern (PDF)

• Tape pieces of bright blue poster board around the doorframe and along the bottom of the door.

Dog
Here's what you do:

• Use the Prints the Dog pattern and cut body out of yellow foam core.
• Glue eyes and nose to dog's face.
• Hot-glue the pieces of dog's body together.
• Use an orange marker or acrylic paint to apply thumbprint pattern to dog's body.
• Construct an easel out of the scraps of foam core, attach to back of dog, and prop him up in front of the door.

Lamppost
Here's what you do:

• Create the lamppost and globe using the Lamppost diagram (PDF) as a guide.
• Cut the shape out of black and blue poster board.
• Use blue chalk to create highlights on the globe.
• Tape the lamppost gently to the wall, using packing tape.

Inspector Digits Business Sign
Here's what you do:

• Use the Headquarters Sign (PDF) and Readers Wanted Sign (PDF) as patterns or enlarge them on a copier.
• Mount the signs on the yellow, black, and red poster board.
• Use blue paper scraps from the door to create the glass in the magnifying glass (PDF).
• Tape the chain to the back of the three signs, connecting them together.
• Hang the completed sign to the wall with the packing tape or with one small nail at the top of sign.

Finish the door display with a briefcase, a sampling of books from your Fair, and of course, mysterious footprints (PDF) leading up to the door.