Totem Pole

Materials:

• Construction paper
• Glue
• Scissors
• Crayons/Colored pencils
• White paper
• Animal print outs

During this lesson we learned about totem poles and how they are important in Native American culture. We first had to choose which animal to create. We were able to color and cut it out so that we had a visual to go off of when we started creating a larger version. We had to have a 3-D element for our animal, so my giraffe has 3-D elements on his eyes and nose. The colors I chose were a brown tone because it represented the colors of the Earth. At the end of our project we put our totems together with our group to create a small totem pole. When we were finished we had to complete the index card and explain why we picked the animal and why we chose the colors. 

Extension Activity
Students could research Native American culture and find the different meanings of the different animals. They could then write their own meaning to different animals and why they think that. 

Native American Storytelling

Materials:

• Watercolor paints
• Paint brushes
• Cups for water
• Large white paper
• Brown paper bags
• Brown crayons
• Black markers or Sharpies

In this lesson, we learned about Native American symbols and how they used pictures to tell stories. We also learned about different watercolor painting styles that we could use for our sunset background. Then using the symbols they gave us we created our own story, needing at least 6 symbols to describe it. My story was in the morning a woman ran to the river to discover a man. 

Extension Activity
For this lesson, you could have your students research Native American symbols and try and have them decode some examples that you would have ready for them. 

Ideal Vacation

Materials:

• 8 1/2x11 Cardstock
• Construction Paper
• 2 Notecards per student
• Water Colors
• Tissue Paper
• Glue
• Scissors
• Markers
• Crayons
• Pastels
• Pipe Cleaners
• Puff Balls
• Cotton Balls
• Glitter
• Miscellaneous Craft Items (sea shells, sand, etc.)

This lessons main subject was 3-D design.  First I brainstormed a vacation spot and drew what I would want and decided what I would want in the foreground, middle ground, and back ground. My vacation spot was Disneyland and it included Mickey's face as my foreground, train as the middle ground, and the banner as the background. Then we wrote a few sentences about our 3-D design like what we did and how we got there. 

Extension Activity
For this lesson, I would incorporate math and have the students plan out their vacation. I would then have them add up the cost of traveling, food, lodging, and any other activities that they wanted to include. They would have to present to their classmates how much their ideal vacation cost. 

Ceramic Bowl Leaf

Materials:

• Paper Plates
• Paint
• Paintbrushes
• Styrofoam Bowls
• Moist Clay
• Leaf sample made out of cardstock paper
• Canvas Rolls
• Rolling Pins
• Cutting Tools
• Water

For this lesson we made a ceramic bowl leaf. When we started this lesson we were given a chunk of clay and we kneaded it until the air bubbles were out.  Next we had to flatten out the slab so it was about the width of your thumb.  To do this we used a ruler on each side so that our slab of clay didn't get to think.  Then we used the leaf template that we chose and then traced it onto our slab.  Once this was done we cut out our leaf and smoothed the edges with water and then placed the leaf in a bowl with a paper towel to create a ceramic bowl leaf.  While the leaf was in the bowl we painted the leaf using fall colors. Since we had clay that would just air dry, we didn't have to put it in the oven.

Extension Activity
You could incorporate science into this lesson by discussing the seasons and the different color leaves make throughout the seasons. Some students could paint their leaves green with water droplets, like in the spring. Some students could paint their leaves fall colors. Then they could also write characteristics about their leaf and give details about what kind of tree it came from. 

Cobra Knot Keychains

Materials:

• Craft Lace
• Scissors
• Tape
• Metal King Ring

For this lesson we made cobra knot key chains. We first discussed different types of knots and the knot that we would learn for our lesson. We also discussed the color triads and how we would use those colors in our key chains. We were able to practice with yarn first and then we used craft lace once we had the pattern down to tie the knot.  We tied a regular knot on the top of the cobra knot and at the bottom to finish it off. To make this knot, you had to designate a middle string. I chose purple, which as you can see, doesn't show much in your final product. To start you use the string on the right and go over, under, and then use the second string to go under, through the loop. Then you pull tight. 

Extension Activity
For this lesson you could have your students research different kinds of knots and research what they are used for and how they got their name. They could then maybe create their own knot and give it a name. 

Crayon Etching

Materials: 

• 5x5 White Cardstock
• 5x5 White Paper
• 6x6 Colored Paper for Mounting
• Pencils
• Newspaper/Painting Cloth
• Crayons
• Scratching Sticks
• Black Tempera Paint
• Large Paint Brushes
• Masking Tape

In this lesson we learned about crayon etching. For this lesson we had to choose either primary or secondary colors and create a pattern in the background. I used secondary colors and did a pattern of diagonal stripes. Then we painted over the pattern with black paint so that you couldn't see any of the secondary colors anymore. Next we created a drawing on a white sheet of paper and colored the back with pencil.  By coloring the back of the paper it made it so that when we drew over the top of our drawing onto the black paper the lead transferred to the painted sheet.  We then could etch out the paint and see the color underneath.  

Extension Activity
During a science lesson, I would have the students pick out a biome (tundra, rainforest, taiga, etc) and etch characteristics of the biome.

Printmaking

Materials:

• 6x9 Styrofoam Plates
• Paint
• Rollers
• Construction Paper
• #2 Pencils
• Index Cards
• Glue

In this lesson we went over printmaking.  For this project we were given Styrofoam to draw symbols in.  The symbols we chose we wrote down on an index card and explained the meaning of each. Once the symbols were drawn on the Styrofoam we went to the paint station to roll paint onto the Styrofoam and then onto our piece of construction paper.  We used two different colors of paint and then glued our index card to the bottom.  

Extension Activity
For an extension activity for this project, I would have them research a historical event and have them find symbols that represented that event.