HANGING STAR ORNAMENT – Shape, Colour, Texture

Students cut out a Model Magic star and use the shape to create a hanging ornament.

Required Time

40 Minutes

Grade Level

Kindergarten to Grade 6

Subject

Language Arts
Mathematics
Social Studies
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

colour pentagram shape texture

Materials

Crayola Model Magic Classpack - Assorted Colours Ribbon or String Bamboo Skewers or Toothpicks Large Star Shaped Cookie Cutters

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Steps

HANGING STAR ORNAMENT – Shape, Colour, Texture - Step One

Step One

  1. 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
  2. Flatten the Model Magic with your hand.
  3. Use a marker to roll it smooth.
  4. Press the star cookie cutter into the flattened Model Magic.
  5. Gently pull the excess Model Magic away from the star shape.
  6. Use a bamboo skewer to poke a hole in one of the tips.
HANGING STAR ORNAMENT – Shape, Colour, Texture - Step Two

Step Two

  1. Gently press small pieces of Model Magic onto the star to add details.
  2. Mix primary colours to make new colours.
  3. Model Magic will stick to itself without glue.
HANGING STAR ORNAMENT – Shape, Colour, Texture - Step Three

Step Three

  1. Allow the star to dry for 2 days.
  2. When it is dry thread a ribbon through the hole at the top.
  3. Tie the two ends of the ribbon together.
  4. Hang your star on a tree or a hook.

Learning Goals

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.

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

  1. 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; 
  2. Prior to this lesson teach about family winter traditions and share some experiences children have had. 
  3. 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.
  4. 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.  
  5. Prior to this lesson introduce or review polygons and regular pentagrams.

 

Introduction

  1. 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.
  2. Discuss special ornaments students may have.
  3. Introduce the challenge.

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Create a hanging star ornament out of Model Magic.
  2. Use primary colours to mix new colours.
  3. Add details to make your ornament unique.
  4. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.
  5. Support your ideas with evidence found in the works.

The Process

  1. Make sure everyone understands the challenge.
  2. 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
  3. Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
  4. Encourage students to think of how they can use contrast to create areas of emphasis.
  5. Observe students as they work. 
  6. Provide individual assistance and encouragement.

 

Sharing

  1. 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.
  2. Display all the ornaments in the classroom.
  3. Encourage students to view the ornaments and notice how they are the same and how they are different.

Assessment

  1. Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting.
  2. 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.
  3. Observe students as they listen – looks at presenter, asks effective questions, supports ideas with evidence found in the artwork.
  4. Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads - StarOrnament_tracking.pdf)
  5. 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?

Downloads

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