Students will be able to:
- create a hanging star ornament out of Model Magic;
- use primary colours to mix new colours;
- add details to make their ornament unique;
- work independently and self-regulate;
- share their ideas with peers.
HANGING STAR ORNAMENT – Shape, Colour, Texture
Steps
Step One
- Use a small piece of Model Magic for your star (about 28 g (1 oz).
- for a Santa choose red
- for an elf choose green – mix blue and yellow together to make green - Flatten the Model Magic with your hand.
- Use a marker to roll it smooth.
- Press the star cookie cutter into the flattened Model Magic.
- Gently pull the excess Model Magic away from the star shape.
- Use a bamboo skewer to poke a hole in one of the tips.
Step Two
- Gently press small pieces of Model Magic onto the star to add details.
- Mix primary colours to make new colours.
- Model Magic will stick to itself without glue.
Step Three
- Allow the star to dry for 2 days.
- When it is dry thread a ribbon through the hole at the top.
- Tie the two ends of the ribbon together.
- Hang your star on a tree or a hook.
Learning Goals
Extensions
Have students:
- use the Family Holiday Traditions lesson plan available on this website to write about personal memories;
- share their stories with others in the class.
Prepare
- Gather and make available books about winter holiday traditions and Christmas trees, for example, The Christmas Tree Wish, by Karen Inglis and Anne Swift; A Wish To Be a Christmas Tree, by Colleen Monroe; The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story, by Gloria Houston and Barbara Cooney; and Pick a Pine Tree, by Patricia Toht and Jarvis;
- Prior to this lesson teach about family winter traditions and share some experiences children have had.
- Make a chart list of characterisitics of traditions, for example:
- we learn traditions by participating in them;
- traditions involve sharing time and experiences with others;
- there may be special symbols associated with different traditions;
- traditions involve doing things in a special way;
- some traditions are passed down from one generation to another;
- some traditions involve the giving of gifts. - You may want to set up a 'Star' centre with star cookie cutters, Model Magic, markers to use as rollers and bamboo skewers so students can make their own star a few days prior to making the decoration. This will allow you to have fewer cookie cutters and the stars will be firm when students start to decorate them.
- Prior to this lesson introduce or review polygons and regular pentagrams.
Introduction
- Conduct a read-aloud with a book such as Pick a Pine Tree, by Patricia Toht and Jarvis focusing on students' experiences with Christmas trees.
- Discuss special ornaments students may have.
- Introduce the challenge.
Activities
The Challenge
- Create a hanging star ornament out of Model Magic.
- Use primary colours to mix new colours.
- Add details to make your ornament unique.
- Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.
- Support your ideas with evidence found in the works.
The Process
- Make sure everyone understands the challenge.
- Establish success criteria with your students, for example,
I know I am successful when I have:
- cut a star shape out of Model Magic
- made a small hole in one tip of the star
- mixed primary colours to make new colours
- added details to make the ornament unique
- threaded a ribbon through the hole
- made an ornament that is sturdy and in good condition - Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
- Encourage students to think of how they can use contrast to create areas of emphasis.
- Observe students as they work.
- Provide individual assistance and encouragement.
Sharing
- Gather students to view and discuss their ornaments. Ask students to share:
- what they learned about making a star ornament;
- how they used different shapes and colours to add details to their ornament;
- what they like best about their ornaments. - Display all the ornaments in the classroom.
- Encourage students to view the ornaments and notice how they are the same and how they are different.
Assessment
- Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting.
- Observe students as they discuss their artworks – speaks with a clear voice, looks at audience while speaking, points to ornament, provides accurate information, answers questions from the audience effectively.
- Observe students as they listen – looks at presenter, asks effective questions, supports ideas with evidence found in the artwork.
- Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads - StarOrnament_tracking.pdf)
- Have students draw a picture of their ornament and write answers to the following questions:
- What did you learn about making a star ornament?
- What do you like best about your ornament?
- If you were to make another star ornament what would you do next?
