A BOX FULL OF LUCK – Geometry, Colour, Storytelling

Students use a net to create a textured box and then personalize it using acrylic paint and glitter glue. They use the box as a prop for telling a story they have written.

Required Time

120 Minutes

Grade Level

Grade 3 to Grade 7

Subject

Language Arts
Mathematics
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

amulet contrast hexahedron talisman texture

Materials

Masking Tape Card Stock 21.25 cm x 27.5 cm (8.5" x 11") Acrylic Paint Paint Brushes Glue Scissors Glitter Glue

Shop Crayola Products

Acrylic Paint, 6 Count

Flat Brush Set, 4 Count

Washable No-Run School Glue, 118 ml

Washable Glue Stick, 25 g

Pointed Tip Metal Scissors

Washable Glitter Glue, 5 Count

Steps

Step One

Copy the hexahedron net onto the card stock and cut it out.
Fold as indicated and glue the hexahedron together leaving the top open.

Step Two

Fold as indicated and glue the hexahedron together leaving the top open.
Fold the top corners in and fasten them to make the lid.

Step Three

Cover the entire box with small pieces of masking tape.
Overlap the pieces and make sure they stick down flat and smooth.

Step Four

Choose two colours of paint – one light and the other dark.
Mix white with your main colour to make it lighter.

Step Five

Paint the entire cube with the light colour.
Allow it to dry completely.

Step Six

Put very little paint on your brush and lightly paint the darker colour into the creases left by the tape.
Allow it to dry completely.

Step Seven

Apply a coat of Crayola Washable glue straight from the bottle.
Allow it to dry thoroughly.

Step Eight

Add decorations using glitter glue or other embellishments.

Step Nine

Find or create an amulet to place inside your box.

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

Use a net to build a box;
Create a textured surface on the box;
Create a personal decoration on the box;
Use the box as a prop for storytelling; and
Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.

Extensions

Have students:

Organize and participate in a storytelling event.
Write out their stories in a decorative way and display them along with the boxes and amulets.
Video each other telling their stories.
Create paper animations of their stories using iMovie or a similar app.

Prepare

Prior to this lesson have students explore geometric solids and folk tales that involve luck.
Gather books about luck. For example, Good Luck, Bad Luck, Rick Brown; Judy Moody and the Bad Luck Charm, by Megan McDonald; Fiona's Luck, by Teresa Bateman; Good Luck!: A St. Patrick's Day Story (Ant Hill), by Joan Holub; Chancer The Leprechaun, by Scott A. Coleman; Lucky Tucker, by Leslie McGuirk; What good luck! What bad luck! by Remy Charlip.
Share the vocabulary words 'amulet' and 'talisman', and discuss the differences in their meanings.
- An amulet is believed to have magic powers to ward off evil and protect.
- A talisman is believed to have magic powers to bring good luck.
- A good luck charm is believed to have magic powers to bring good luck.
Have students explore storytelling. Ask them to imagine that they have a box that holds a magic object.
- WHEN does this story take place?
- WHAT is special about the box?
- WHAT is the object in the box?
- WHERE did it come from?
- WHO wants it?
- WHY is it in the box?
Have students write and then learn their stories so they can tell (not read) them.
Learn the Good Luck Bad Luck story so you can tell it – not read it to your students.
Photocopy hexahedron net on card stock paper – one for each student. (Downloads - HexahedronBoxNet.pdf)

Introduction

Read the short story, Good Luck Bad Luck, A Chinese Parable – (Downloads– GoodLuckBadLuck.pdf)
Discuss the idea of luck and 'good luck charms'. For example,
- Crickets, Lady Bugs, Dragon Flies
- Horseshoes
- Acorns
- 4 Leaf Clover
- Lucky Penny
- Rabbit's Foot
- Key
Explain that students will be making a small, special box that they will use as a prop when they tell their tale.
Introduce the challenge.

Activities

The Challenge

Use a net to build a box.
Create a textured surface on the box.
Create a personal decoration on the box.
Use the box as a prop for storytelling.
Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.

The Process

Make sure everyone understands the challenge.
Establish success criteria with your students, for example,
- careful construction of net
- effective use of colour
- effective use of tape to create texture
- design reflects the person who created it
Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
Observe students as they work.
Provide individual assistance and encouragement.

Sharing

Place students in small groups and have them share thoughts about the work.
During the discussion include references to:
- texture - how colour combinations and shading create the illusion of texture
- design - How does the design reflect the person who created it?
- technical accomplishment – How does careful construction contribute to the overall effectiveness of the box?
Ask students what they found satisfying about doing this project and why.
Ask them what was difficult about doing this project and why.
Provide time for students to find or make a special object to support their story, and to use the box and object as props to tell their story.

Assessment

Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting
Observe students as they discuss the art works – active listening, insightful contributions, supporting ideas with evidence found in the artwork and from personal experience.
Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads - Luck_tracking.pdf)
Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Downloads - Luck_self-assessment.pdf)