Need a fun art project for the last few days before Christmas break? Follow these links to some of my favorites! (Faux) Stained Glass Ornaments Origami Crane Ornaments Japanese Notan Ornaments Christmas Word Clouds Kindergarten Stars Jacob's Ladder Icicles Folded Paper Stars Candy Cane-O-Grams Art Gift Wrap Merry Christmas! … [Read more...]
Christmas in July! Folded Paper Stars with Symmetry
These hanging stars are a hit year after year with my 4th graders. You can make these in any size you want.... the size of the squares you start with will determine the size of your finished stars. (When I teach this lesson, I use 12" squares in two different colors to demonstrate the folding and gluing steps on the white board. Instead of glue, I used tape rolls with low tack … [Read more...]
Christmas in July! “Jacob’s Ladder” Icicles
I like to have each of my classes make a special ornament for Christmas each year. Here's an easy paper icicle that's fun for 1st grade and up. Once students get the hang of it, they'll be making these as fast as you can cut the paper! This project is a little more craft-like than I usually do with my students, but during those high energy days leading up to Christmas vacation, … [Read more...]
Christmas in July! Japanese Notan-Inspired Ornaments
Even though Christmas falls on the same day every year, it still manages to sneak up on me! Why is that??! My best intentions are always to post some new Christmas art projects & ideas a month or two ahead of time, but then the busyness of the season just gets the best of me! So my answer to that is to get a head start by posting them in July! My 5th graders loved making … [Read more...]
Kindergarten Stars
Try these simple instructions to teach your kinders how to draw stars. As adults, we make these designs automatically, almost without thinking, but for a five year old drawing their very first star, it's nothing short of magical! Once it "clicks" for them, they will be drawing stars everywhere!First talk about types of lines, concentrating on "diagonal" and "horizontal". … [Read more...]
Origami Crane Ornaments
"An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury.... In Asia, it is commonly said that folding 1000 paper origami cranes makes a person's wish come true. This makes them popular gifts for special friends and family." (from Wikipedia)Origami cranes make … [Read more...]
“Stained Glass” Ornaments
Don't miss this FUN project.... it's a hit year after year!! Students in grade 3 and up will love spreading Christmas cheer when they hang these glowing ornaments on their tree or tie them on packages to give as gifts. All you need is black construction paper, tissue paper in bright colors, scissors and glue sticks.... and the school laminating machine! 1. Take two … [Read more...]
Christmas “Stained Glass” Ornaments
Are your kids bouncing off the walls with anticipation of the coming holiday? Need a last-minute project to engage them? Try making these glowing ornaments with the look of stained glass! Students in grades 3 and up will enjoy spreading Christmas cheer when they hang these ornaments on their tree or give them as gifts. You Will Need: black construction paper, tissue … [Read more...]
