Chinese New Year is right around the corner! Monday, January 23, 2012 will mark the start of the "Year of the Dragon", year 4709 on the Chinese calendar, where each year is designated by one of 12 animals. I thought a dragon project would be fun for my first graders as we usher out the "Year of the Rabbit" and welcome in the "Year of the Dragon"! We're making our dragons in … [Read more...]
Chilean Rain Sticks
This project requires a bit more prep than most, but it's not difficult and so worth the extra time it takes! Your students will LOVE creating these colorful, authentic sounding rain sticks! Be sure to show students where Chile is located on a map or globe, and talk about its unique geography and weather!Chile is a country in South America, occupying a long narrow strip of … [Read more...]
Mexican Paper Marigolds for “Day of the Dead”
"Day of the Dead" is a traditional Mexican holiday for honoring ancestors and loved ones who have died, and is celebrated each year on November 1st & 2nd. This festive, family-centered holiday celebrates the cycle of life and highlights the Mexican peoples’ general acceptance, rather than fear, of death. Colorful marigolds are a regular feature adorning the altars or … [Read more...]
The Marshmallow Challenge
I love to end our school year with a fun activity that my students will remember. This year, I discovered The Marshmallow Challenge while watching a TED Talk and I couldn’t wait to try it! This activity encourages creativity, problem solving and teamwork…. skills that are essential for becoming an innovator in today’s rapidly changing world. Click here to watch a short video … [Read more...]
“3D” Flower Collage
My 2nd graders used these whimsical flowers for their Mother's Day cards this year, but you could also make a colorful garden picture while teaching the concepts of symmetry and layering. Attaching the blossoms with layers of double stick foam tape gives a fun 3D effect that unfortunately doesn't show up well in this picture!Materials:Construction paper or card stock, white … [Read more...]
Calder-Inspired “Stabile” Sculptures
Alexander Calder, American sculptor and inventor of the mobile, also invented the "stabile", a freestanding sculpture with similar qualities to the mobile. Since his stabile sculptures are quite large, many are installed outdoors.... so we "planted" our stabiles in florist foam complete with growing grass to get the full effect!Materials:4 Pipe cleaners in assorted colors4 … [Read more...]
Gustav Klimt 3D Trees
Austrian painter, Gustav Klimt, was an important figure in the Art Nouveau movement at the turn of the 20th century. His "Tree of Life" painting inspired this project - a favorite with my 1st graders every spring. After all, when you combine 3D art, gold pipe cleaners and live, growing grass... how can you go wrong??! Materials: Gold pipe cleaners, 6 per student (or use … [Read more...]
Candy Cane-O-Grams
This "Candy Cane-O-Gram" is a favorite project year after year. It may look like an ordinary paper candy cane, but it contains a special hidden message for it's recipient. Once kids make their first one, they'll be "hooked" and they won't want to stop! 1. Use a ruler to draw parallel lines in holiday colors along the edges of your paper. Make some lines thick and others … [Read more...]
Paper Sculpture Inspired by Alexander Calder
This wonderful sculpture was created at my last Teacher Workshop.... I don't know who to give credit to, so if this is yours, please let me know!Alexander Calder (1898-1976) was an American artist who was born into a family of artists and sculptors and became one of the 20th century’s most influential modern artists. He is also known for inventing the mobile and the "stabile", … [Read more...]