Lacy Clay

For this project, we were introduced to different types of lace. The instructors passed around different examples of lace. Then, we were told to sketch out our own design of a lacy ornament. Then, we were to trace it with a permanent marker. After we traced our design, then we covered our white paper with wax paper and taped it securely down. The next thing that we did was to get our clay ready. We kneaded it so that it was all mixed together. Then we got it all to the same corner of the bag. Once it was all in the same corner, we cut a very small cut in the corner of the bag. This acted as a marker that we could use to trace our lines for our ornament. I had to trace my lines a couple of times because I wanted to make sure they were thick. Then, we had to paint our projects. Once they dried, we were to pull them off of the wax paper and then tie a ribbon to the top of our projects.

As an extension activity, I would have the student's research different types of lace. After they have done some research, then they could do a group share in a round robin style so that every group has shared with every group about their research on the different styles of lace. This way, the students will know what type of lace they want to do their design off of.

Stepping Stones

This is a picture of my cement project. It was a very creative way to make a stepping stone. We used a picture that the instructors had previously laminated. I chose to bring a picture of a sea turtle that my family had taken when we went scuba diving. This way, I could do an underwater theme. We could do different kinds of ideas in our stepping stones. I decided to do repetition in my design. I used green and blue colors. Also, I used sea shells in my design. When creating this project, it was a little difficult. We had to shake the cement to help it set and let the air bubbles rise. Also, a lot of water rose to the surface. We used paper towels to dry the excess water. It was a little challenging to push down the photo and the rocks. I think that many students would really enjoy doing this project and would be very pleased with their end result.

As an extension activity. I would have the students bring in a photo of someone or something. This photo would be for someone that they would like to gift the project to. Then, I would have the students make a card for the person.

Print It!

This project was called Print It! It was really fun because we got to use ink. It was really good timing to do this project with Easter eggs because it was right around the time of Easter break. For this project, we had to use meat trays and carving tools to design our egg. Once we have carved our design deep enough into our meat try, then we rolled the ink onto the tray and pressed the paper onto our tray. After we did that, we had a nice result of our design. We had to do it in at least four different colors. Then, we had to paste our finished products onto a piece of construction paper for display.

As an extension activity, I would do this project as an ice breaker activity. You could have people work in partners and design each other's egg. They would be required to ask at least three questions about the other person so that they could have enough ideas to create the other persons egg. Then, they would make at least one print for them, and then the other person would have a chance to do the one that the partner designed.

Scratch Art

This picture is an example of my scratch art project. I really enjoyed doing this project. It is neat because you don't know what color you are going to get as your background. We had a good demonstration of the different techniques that we could use on our projects. We were given abstract objects, and we told to make a creation out of our object. I really loved that idea. There were so many things that I wanted to do with mine! I also really loved how our instructors went around the classroom and gave their own ideas to help you out if you needed it too. Finally, I found which one I wanted to go with, and that was the planters' peanuts man. I enjoyed doing the little dots as his body and making his hat. I think many students would enjoy this project a lot!

As an extension project for the scratch art, I would have the students design and make a scratch art project with their name. They could use many different techniques in thier letters.

Pop Art

These are pictures of my pop art project. For this project, we saw some examples of how pop art is used. We were in groups of 4's. Then, between our group members, we were allowed to choose an object. My group chose to draw a watering pot. We drew the picture and then traced the drawing onto our paper with permanent marker. Then, after we were showed a demonstration on how to use oil pastels, we were told to add color to our projects. We all had to use a different color scheme between the different members in our group. I used all different kinds of green colors and then went from lighter to darker in my picture. It is really neat to see the whole group's images together.

As an extension project, I would have the students take digital photographs of the same object. Then, I would have the students work with different coloring on the computer. After that, then I would have the students frame their digital photos and put them next to their drawings.

Rainbow Fish

This is a picture of my rainbow fish project. For this project the instructors us a book about rainbow fish. It was a really good example of different colors used in fish and I think it is a great tool to use as a motivator. We were given templates to use, but were not supposed to trace them. Then, we were supposed to use construction paper to tear up into pieces and make a collage. I wanted to make stripes in my fish. I didn't want only stripes, but just some throughout. Then, in the book that was read, there were examples about scales and how he shared them with the other fish. So, we were told that we could use sequins to spice up our fish. I used the silver ones on my fish.

As an extension activity, I would have the students do a "give a friend a scale" activity. After reading the same book that our instructors read to us, then I would have the students create their fish, and then draw a name. Then they would have a scale that they design. On this scale they would write to this person that they drew, and tell them why they want to give them their scale. This would be a nice complement.

Pebble Painting

This is a picture of my pebble painting project. We needed to bring a shoe box in order to do this project. We focused on making primary colors, and then we later explored making some secondary colors. We placed a piece of paper in the bottom of our shoe box, and then we used various sizes and types of pebbles to create designs on our papers. I thought this was a creative idea, and I think that many students would enjoy this project.

As an extension activity, I would have the students go on a nature walk and actually collect some of the pebbles that they will collect to use on this project. Then, they could write a short story explaining where they think the rock has been and what the designs mean in relation to where they think the rock has been.