Chinese Lanterns!

CHINESE LANTERNS!

Need: 1 red, 1 yellow card stock, scissors, stapler, color pencils

Today in honor of Chinese New year we made Chinese lanterns!

I divided up the room into two equal amount of students. I talked about Chinese lanterns and how they look. 

The lanterns were red, and the yellow on the inside have dragons colored on it.

I wore yellow and red symbolizing the classic colors used. I showed an example and had one side start on the inside of the lanterns. They were told to draw their dragons very detailed and very colorful. I showed them pictures of Chinese drawn dragons. They loved it! For this side I asked the children to stay quiet so that I could give directions to the "lantern" side.

 Each side did well at listening. I went around to each student to staple their lanterns together. That was the fastest and best way to do it. 

I had them fold it 2 times to make 3 folds on the paper so that they knew where to cut to and to stop cutting at. It might also work by having them draw a line from a ruler to be able to make the lantern sides longer.

Some students did not understand the 3 finger rule to how large their cuts needed to be. Some were bigger and some were larger. The larger ones didn't work well and the small ones were hard to make so in between slits were the best.

On the lantern side I explained how to make the lantern. I had to go step by step and make sure each student was folding and cutting correctly. It was hard for them but we got through it. The first group I tried a different kind (short and fat) and it was difficult. The other side I did another kind (tall and skinny) and it worked better. 

Here is something you can use as a reference. This might work for a little bit older kids better.

After doing lanterns with one side I went to the other side and had the previous "lantern" side be drawing their dragons.

 

After doing lanterns with one side I went to the other side and had the previous "lantern" side be drawing their dragons.

Once done they put the yellow paper inside their lanterns.

After the teacher had them put the handles on and make it so that the yellow dragons showed through.

They loved it! It had a lot of instructions but it worked out well! 

 

What we were aiming for!

Lanterns hung up!!!

 

The class had a Chinese New Year's parade where they walked around the school with their lanterns!!!

Watercolor Wax Resist!

Watercolor Wax Resist!

Need: watercolor paper, crayola crayons, watercolor, paint brushes, salt

This time we did something a little more simple. We used watercolor, crayons, and salt, to make a funky snowman.

First we discussed different items of clothing we could put on our funky snowman and different areas we could put the snowman on the paper. 

Next I used the elmo projector to show them how the project worked. By using a white crayon on watercolor paper you can draw snow and the white part of the snowman. I explained that you need to push hard on the paper (not too hard or you will break the crayon, which I demonstrated in class haha!) I also explained that you needed to fill every place that you don't want watercolor to show through with tons of crayon wax. 

When I did the different steps of the snowman on the elmo I  went around and showed each table the drawing. This was because it was hard to see the light because of using white on white on some areas. 

 I showed them simple snowflake crosses so that they put all over their paper and make it look like it was snowing!

 After explaining this I had the children to start drawing their snowmen. Using crayola crayons are the best for this project. Before we went to watercolor I went around and made sure each had enough wax on their paper for the watercolor would work.

Next on the elmo I showed them how to use watercolor. I said to use some color with a lot of water (that is the key, too much watercolor is going to hide the wax). The kids were amazed when "magically" the wax repelled the crayon! Magically snow flakes showed up and my snowman showed up! Then while the paint was still  wet I put some salt on top. This made the watercolor look even cooler and snowy!

 I told the children that when they were ready and their paper was super wet (no dry spots!) then I would come by and add the salt!

The kids really enjoyed this project! They got a little carried away with a lot of watercolor but hey it was their first time using watercolor. They are first graders discovering the world!

**I got a new camera and got a little crazy taking all of these pictures!

**The teacher decided she wanted to put them all on black paper and display them in the hall!

Displayed snowmen!

They look so good!

3-D Snow!!!

3-D SNOW!!!

Today I came into the class all bundled up ready to venture out into the Arctic. They just studied about Antarctica and now is going to learn about the North Pole. I asked them to imagine with me what they would find if we were in the Arctic right then!

They gave me names of animals, (puffins, narwhals, baby beluga, polar bears, etc.) and other things (Eskimos, Santa, elves, snow, ice, igloos, etc.) that existed in the Arctic as I wrote them on the white board. 

Before the students came in I made an equal parts shaving cream and Elmer's glue mixture to act like our 3-D snow. I gave each child about 1/2 c. to a 2/3 c. of the substance in a little bowl.

We covered their desks with butcher paper and have them wear "paint shirts" so that they would not get them clothes dirty.

I talked with them some more and explained that the substance is not to be eaten or to touch their eyes with. I showed them by simply dabbing a large amount on their paper (thicker paper is needed for young kids), how it can make 3-d snow! It is better to explain what 3-d means and exactly how to make that effect (do not rub it around too much, or it just looks like glue). I failed to do this so therefore some did not have the right effect (lesson learned!).

They used crayon or color pencil to make blue water and draw other animals on their paper. They cut out animals, people, igloos, out of construction paper and put it on their projects.

**Use thicker blue background paper so that it looks like the sky. Give them step by step of what to do next and that will help to keep control over the class.

It was super fun and the students loved it!!!!

Just give the weekend for the "snow" to dry.