Valentines Bags

Cute animal Valentine's bags :)

Silhouette Art

We did this project for Halloween, but it could really be done for any season.  It is a simple project and turns out beautifully.

Materials

• Small pieces of watercolor paper
• Paint brushes
• Water color paint sets
• Black construction paper OR black tempura paint
• Glue

Steps

1. Paint a skyline with watercolors, covering the entire watercolor paper (may need to discuss the colors of the sky at different times of day).
2. Cut a scene out of black construction paper or paint it over the water color with tempura paint after it dries.
3. Glue the scene onto the water color paper.

Dr. Seuss Art

This project is a low-prep, fun way to honor Dr. Seuss!

Materials

• 11 x 17 in white construction paper (twice as many as you have students)
• tempura paint
• paint brushes (small and large)
• black permanent markers
• pencils
• glue (school or stick)
• Dr. Seuss books for reference

Steps

1. Students paint broad horizontal or vertical stripes across their first piece of construction paper in a single color, leaving the background white.
2. While the backgrounds dry students draw their favorite Dr. Seuss character lightly in pencil.
3. Paint over the pencil with tempura paint.
4. Once the paint dries, outline the character in permanent marker (optional).
5. Cut out the character.
6. Glue character onto background.

Stained Glass Craft Project

2013 Student Samples

This is a semi-complicated craft that the kids love!  It can also be done around any holiday with holiday-themed templates.  It could be done with any grade level, but it is pretty complicated.

Materials

• Sharpies (Various colors, lots of black, at least the number of sharpies as you have kids unless you want to do this in stations)
• Plastic wrap (1 roll, any brand)
• Heavy duty aluminum foil (1 roll, any brand)
• Paper plates (just the basic cheap kind)
• Tape (any kind, really, it goes on the back.
• Stained glass or mandala templates printed on plain paper (see below)

Preparation

1. Cut aluminum foil and plastic wrap in square or rectangular sheets that are big enough to cover the paper plates.
2. Print mondala and/or stained glass templates on normal paper.

Steps

1. Crinkle up aluminum foil into a ball (not too tight because you'll need to flatten it out!)
2. Flatten out the aluminum foil.
3. Cover the bottom of the paper plate with aluminum foil and tape the corners on the other side.
4. Choose a stained glass template and wrap the plastic wrap tightly around the template.  Tape it on the back of the template.
5. Color the plastic wrap with colored sharpies, starting with the inner portions of the stained glass.
6. Outline the colored portions in black sharpie.
7. Remove the plastic from the template. (Template can be recycled)
8. Cover the aluminum foil plate with the plastic wrap and tape on the same side as the aluminum foil was taped.

Modeling Points

• Color in gentle, even strokes.
• Wait to outline until the very end so mistakes can be covered.
• Work from the center outward so the marker doesn't get on your hands or get smeared.
• Spread the plastic wrap gently with your fingers as you color to prevent wrinkles.

Step-by-step pictures to follow.

My First Attempt at the Scottish Storyline Method!

Scottish Storyline Method... Love It!!  Check out the book (very informative, few pics):

I've used other's storylines before, and loved it but this year I took my first shot at creating my own storyline.  The premise: (You'll have to excuse the fact that the students are running a pretend candy factory.  My excuse: We found a "healthier alternative to sugar," AND students find it very motivating).  The students run a candy factory and we've discovered a new species of sugar cane called the candy flower which offers a healthier alternative to sugar.

ODE Standards Covered:

Persuasive writing

EL.03.WR.27 Write brief reports:  Include observations and information from two or more sources. Use diagrams, charts, or illustrations that are appropriate to the text.

3.2L.1 Compare and contrast the life cycles of plants and animals.

SS.3.19. Identify and compare different ways of looking at an event, issue, or problem.

SS.3.20. Identify how people or other living things might be affected by an event, issue, or problem.

SS.03.CG.03 Identify ways that people can participate in their communities and the responsibilities of participation.

SS.03.EC.01 Understand that limited resources make economic choice necessary.

SS.03.GE.01 View and draw simple maps and pictures to locate, describe, and show movement among places.

3.16. Describe the relationship between producers and consumers.

3.17. Explain the issue of scarcity to personal, community, regional, and world resources.

3.4D.1 Identify a problem that can be addressed through engineering design, propose a potential solution, and design a prototype.

The Frieze (ever-changing of course):

In this episode the candy flower crop is being plagued by too many bugs.  Students as small groups have to find a solution to the problem.  Our solution: bringing in mongoose, spring-boarding a discussion on invasive species.  Each week one student's product is selected as the best selling product and is given a billboard on the frieze, a certificate for the student, and a class money bonus.

Photos:

 The candy flower crop diagram, life cycle of a candy flower, the employee and product handbook and my ridiculous hat (Dr. Candi B. Goode, lol).

Wanted poster for the Boll Weevil which is destroying the candy flower crop.

More to come....

Organization tips from the pros.

Another idea I plan on stealing from my masterful co-teachers: make-up work folders.  After doing attendance the teachers or the students put "green folders" on the desks of the students who are absent.  Throughout the day missed work is placed in the green folders for the absent students.  It's waiting on their desk when they return!  Tip: pick up folders and other supplies at Staples during the summer for huge discounts!