Handmade Musical Instruments

Handmade Musical Instruments

Handmade Musical Instruments

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- almost anything that makes some sort of noise can be used 
  as a musical instrument

- one specific instrument can be made at a time or supplies 
  can be made available allowing the children to be more 
  creative
- use the instruments for performances 

Materials

- elastics

- sticks

- plastic tubs with lids

- shaker materials (paper towel rolls, things that will make a 

  noise such as rice, beans or  beads)

- shakers or maracas can also be made using paper-mache

- have a variety of recyclable materials available (boxes, 

  paper towel rolls, bottles)

- instructions for specific instruments can be found under 

  Drums, Stringed Instruments, Maracas

Follow-Up

- provide opportunities for the children to play their instruments in the classroom setting or 

  at an assembly

- they could also be used at an assembly

- use technology to let them perform (older children can produce and star in a musical 

  video)

- younger children can record each other 

- branch out and have them compose their own songs, perform, create a band with 

  a name etc.
How do the instruments sound? Do some comparing with help at Comparing Musical Instruments

Seasons

Signs Of Spring

Seasons

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- compare two seasons through the

  use of a Venn Diagram

- the Venn Diagram can be 

  modified depending on the age/ability of 

  the children

Activity

- a brainstorming session is an effective 

  way to begin this activity 

- using chart paper, have the students 

  think of characteristics for the two seasons being compared

- older children may only need a couple 

  ideas and then they can independently 

  complete their comparisons

- younger children can use two hula 

  hoops to organize each point 

- teach how Venn Diagram show how (in 

  this case) two things are different in the 

  two separate circles and how they are 

  the same where the two circles overlap

Follow-Up

- use picture cues to go with each season

  for pre-readers (this is great for small 

  groups)

- technology can be used to complete the Venn Diagram (the app/program will need to be 

  accessible and understood)

Symmetry

Symmetry

Symmetry

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- this art provides instant satisfaction
- paint is only applied to half of a paper
- once the paper is folded over, the wet paint
  spreads to the other half creating symmetry
- this activity demonstrates the concept of
  symmetry and allows the children to see the
  effect immediately
- the blending of paint is very appealing and 
  provides a burst of color to bulletin boards or
  when suspended from the ceiling
- each butterfly is unique

Materials
- white art paper or card stock
- watercolor paint - colors can be chosen by the students
- paintbrushes
- scissors
- chenille stems (optional for antennae)
- glue
- newsprint or some other material to protect the work surface

Construction
- begin by protecting the work surface with newsprint or plastic cloths
- distribute the art paper or card stock (rectangular) and the paint (colors they have chosen)
- have the children fold the paper in half vertically
- it is recommended that the paint be applied fairly thick (each color does not have to touch each
  other or provide complete coverage)
- once folded over, the paint spreads out, runs together and creates a mirror image on the other half
  of the paper
- once folded, gently pat the paper down so that the paint adheres to the blank half
- open up the paper to admire the colors and design
- talk about the symmetry and observe the mirror image that has been created
- emphasize that the part that is goes horizontally should be glued on higher than the middle (you can
  demonstrate this by having them stand up with their arms stretched out to each side. They will see
  that their arm are raised up higher than their waists or the middle part of their bodies)
- set aside to dry
- fold the paper again along the same fold line
- draw a butterfly wing on the side that is not painted, making sure that the middle part is connected
  to the fold
- cut along the line making sure that part of the fold line stays intact
- if desired, black chenille stems can be formed into antennae and taped to the back

Students will gain an appreciation and understanding of the butterfly at the following link.
Life Cycle Of The Butterfly

Squirrel Art

Squirrel Art

Squirrel Art

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- tracers can be made as shown

- students use the tracers to make the parts of 
   the squirrel 
- the tail can be placed strategically on   
  the squirrel's body to make it either look like 
  it is sitting up or running
- tissue paper makes the tail look bushy  

Materials

- 2 tracers - one body part and one tail  
  (multiple tracers will be needed according to 
  class size)
- glue
- brown, grey and black construction paper (students can choose what color they want 
  their squirrel to be)
- tissue paper cut up in squares (approximately one inch square) in colors to match the 
  body parts
- the squirrel parts could be cut out for Kindergarten children and children without the 
  tracing and cutting skills

Construction
- trace and cut out the two squirrel parts (have the squirrel's tail line up line up with the 
  body to give either the sitting or running effect)
- glue the tail onto the front of the squirrel's body
- apply glue to a small part of the tail, starting at one end
- starting at the edge at the end with the glue, begin placing tissue paper onto the glue
- place your finger in the middle of the square, pull the tissue paper up to wrap around your 
  finger
- keeping your finger in the tissue paper, stick the paper on the glued surface
- helpful hints - try not to get glue on fingers or the tissue paper starts sticking to fingers and 
  place tissue paper close together, leaving no spaces for a really bushy effect
- younger children can loosely crumple up the tissue paper and stick it on the gllue
- finish off with a little eye made out of construction paper

Paper Tulips

Paper Tulips

Paper Tulips

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- three dimensional, bursts of color make 
  these tulips very attractive
- this activity compliments the art activity 
  called "Paper Daffodils" 
- looks amazing when putting a class set 
  together to make a spring garden on a 
  bulletin board along with the daffodils
- very effective results for all ages 
  and abilities
- tracers are used for the flower part
- other suggestions - see bottom of page 
  for ideas for younger children 

Materials
- construction paper (red, yellow, purple,mauve, orange, pink for the flowers) 
- green construction paper for the stems and leaves
- construction paper should be cut into squares, large enough to trace the tulip shape on
- tracers, as shown - prepared ahead of time
- scissors
- glue sticks

Construction
- children choose four squares of their own color choices ( they are effective in all one color, 
  four different colors, and as a pattern - example, red, orange, red, orange)
- the tracer needs to be traced on the four squares and then cut out as carefully as possible
- each tulip shape is then folded in half (they will look like half a tulip shape)
- the half shapes are then stacked on top of each other to see how they fit together 
- you will notice that the folded edges are all lined up together - that is how they will be 
  glued together (each half side will be glued to the next half side - it is complicated until you 
  actually see the pieces and how they fit together)
- use half a sheet of green construction paper to cut out the stem first (this is easily done by 
  cutting a strip off the side or by using a ruler to draw a line close to the edge of the paper 
  and then cutting along the line
- fold the leftover green paper in half lengthwise and draw a long leaf 
- cut along the line while the paper is folded to produce two leaves
- glue the stem to the back of the flower
- glue the leaves to the bottom of the stem, having the leaves face up as though reaching 
  for the sunlight
- invite children who finish ahead of time to make additional flowers to add to the garden 
  and to help their friends
- very young children need some of these steps to be modified - parts of the flower can be 
  cut out ahead of time, older buddies can help them
- to encourage more independence, they can use only one tulip shape and glue tissue 
  paper squares (crumpled up) to the tulip shape

Sihlouettes

Nature Silhouettes

Miscellaneous Silhouettes

Silhouettes

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- this art can be varied to suit the age/needs of

  the children

- vary the expectations depending on the

  age/ability of the children

- the silhouettes can be anything placed against a background of contrasting color

- the silhouettes shown are pictures, however a child's profile is very effective (it makes a great gift 

  and also looks very impressive on display for a parent night, graduation or open house)

- detailed pictures are for older children while younger children may be able to manage a simple 

  shape

Materials
- white or light colored construction paper
- black construction paper
- scissors
- glue
- optional - projector, white pencil crayon

Construction
- the silhouettes do not have to have circular frame as shown (they can be black shapes on a lighter
  colored background
- to complete a child's silhouette, a shadow needs to be created by shining a projector (or something
  similar) at the child
- the child should be sitting still so that their profile shows up on the wall
- black paper needs to be taped to the wall while someone carefully draws the outline of the shadow
  on the paper
- a white pencil crayon works well, however a pencil line can be seen if you look very closely
- cut the black shape(s) out and glue onto a white or light colored paper

Paper Daffodils

Paper Daffodils                                                                                 

Paper Daffodils

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- three dimensional, bursts of yellow make these daffodils 
  very attractive
- this activity compliments the art activity called "Paper Tulips" 
- looks amazing when putting a class set together to make a 
  spring garden on a bulletin board along with the tulips
- very effective results for all ages and abilities
- tracers are used for the flower part
- other suggestions - see bottom of page for ideas for younger 
  children 

Materials

- construction paper (yellow for the flowers and green for the 

  stems and leaves)

- construction paper should be cut into rectangles, large 
  enough to trace the three daffodil flower parts

- yellow and orange tissue paper cut into squares (about one 
  inch square)

- tracers, as shown - prepared ahead of time

- scissors

- glue sticks

Construction

- children use one yellow construction paper square to trace their three flower parts

- cut out the shapes as carefully as possible

- use two yellow shapes to make a tall "X" shapes, gluing together in the center as shown

- use the remaining flower part to glue across the center as shown

- take a yellow or orange tissue paper square (or both colors) and put your finger in the 
  center of the square

- wrap the tissue paper around your finger 

- put glue on the end of your wrapped finger and stick it to the middle of the flower

- use half a sheet of green construction paper to cut out the stem first (this is easily done by 

  cutting a strip off the side or by using a ruler to draw a line close to the edge of the paper 

  and then cutting along the line

- fold the leftover green paper in half lengthwise and draw a long, thin leaf 

- cut along the line while the paper is folded to produce two leaves

- glue the stem to the back of the flower

- glue the leaves to the bottom of the stem, having the leaves face up as though reaching 

  for the sunlight

- invite children who finish ahead of time to make additional flowers to add to the garden 

  and to help their friends

- very young children need some of these steps to be modified - parts of the flower can be 

  cut out ahead of time, older buddies can help them

- to encourage more independence, they can use only one daffodil shape that doesn't have 

  to be put together and glue a tissue paper square(s) to the daffodil shape

Paper Abstract

Paper Abstract

Paper Abstract

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- an abstract work of art

- children can also use the same concept 
  to design their own roller coaster
- these look stunning when put on display 
  on a bulletin board or even on tables

Materials

- colored paper (the more colors the 

  better) cut into long rectangles of varied 

  widths - I like cartridge paper in pastel 

  and bold colors

- rectangular background paper (black or 

  dark blue is recommended to show the 

  contrast of colors - the color chosen should not be used as one to be glued on 

- construction paper can be used for the background - I prefer the 9 X 12 size

- glue sticks

Construction - Abstract

- demonstrate how the rectangular strips of paper can be cut to desired lengths and ask for 

  ideas on how to fold and twist them in different ways (zigzag, looped pointed)

- also encourage varied heights, colors, folds and twists

- the strips can also go over and under one another to add interest

- remind them that when creating an abstract, it's not a picture, anything goes and it should 

  be all mixed up

- glue down on the black or dark blue rectangular paper so that the paper is sticking up in 

  the air - some demonstrating is recommended ( the ends of the long rectangular strips do 

  not necessarily have to be glued down near each other

Roller Coaster

- the same technique as the abstract can be used except smooth strips would be used

- it may also be more organized

Tissue Paper Flowers

Tissue Paper Flowers

Tissue Paper Flowers

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- three dimensional, colourful, and 
  attractive when displayed as bouquets or 
  individually
- also make great gifts for Mother's Day or 
  "just because"
- very effective results for all ages 
  and abilities
- flowers can be made plain or fancy

Materials
- tissue paper of various colours (cut into squares, circles or scalloped circles)
- older students can cut their own tissue paper if able (tissue paper should be cut ahead of 
  time for young children)
- scissors
- green chenille stems

Construction
- the tissue paper squares/circles need to be stacked one on top of each other 
- the more layers that are used, the fuller the flower
- flowers with a smaller diameter require less layers than those with a larger diameter 
- small flowers can start as small as about 6 inches in diameter, whereas larger flowers can 
  be as big as about 12 inches in diameter
- I recommended practising the proper technique used to make "fan folds"
- using a piece of cartridge paper, demonstrate how to make a fan by folding the paper 
  back and forth, making each fold about a half inch wide
- once the pieces of tissue paper has been stacked, begin making fan type folds, back and 
  forth
- once the fanning is complete, fold the fan in half to find the middle
- take a green chenille stem and wrap it tightly around the middle fold 
- secure it by twisting it so that it will not come undone
- very gently, separate the tissue papers by starting with the first layer bringing it up toward 
  the middle
- continue this process with each of the remaining layers
- fluff up and enjoy your beautiful creation

Life Cycle Of A Butterfly

Life Cycle Of A Butterfly

Life Cycle Of A Butterfly

Use the shape of a butterfly (the four parts of the wings) or caterpillar (circles to make up the length of the caterpillar) to describe the parts of the life cycle (egg, larva, caterpillar, butterfly).

Make a caterpillar out of pompoms, chenille stems, google eyes and a long magnet. 

Butterflies can be made out of tissue paper, a clothes pin, chenille stem (for antennae).

Instead of using a clothes pin, a chenille stem can be folded in half for a different effect.

They can be glued on to a long magnet. the clothes pin can hold small pieces of paper. Makes a great gift! To stay with the theme, a pencil can be decorated with pompoms near the end. these can be glued on in a straight line or wind their way around the pencil. A magnet can be glued on to the pencil if you want to keep the set together. 

Beautiful, big butterflies look amazing when using bright coloured tissue paper, gathered in the centre with a chenille stem. Let students use their imaginations when putting the finishing touches on the wings (pieces of tissue paper, glitter, small foam pieces, sequins). 

Butterflies are fantastic subjects when teaching/demonstrating symmetry! Young children can draw or create simply designs demonstrating a line of symmetry. Older children should demonstrate more complex patterns on each wing while also showing symmetry.

A mirror is a great teaching tool when checking for lines of symmetry. Have the children locate items in the classroom that are symmetrical. Don't forget to discuss different lines of symmetry (not all lines are vertical, but can also be vertical and diagonal). Also discuss and observe that some objects have more than one line of symmetry (a square has the three lines of symmetry). Sometimes it is easier to see additional lines of symmetry when rotating the object. 

A great math activity to compliment this lesson can be found at Butterfly Symmetry

Stained Glass Art (Sun Catchers)

"Stained Glass" Art
(Sun Catchers)

Paper "Stained Glass" Art
           (Sun Catchers)

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- this art can be made using any shape (rectangle, heart, angel)
- can be varied to suit the age/needs of the children
- after deciding on a shape, using black construction paper,
  cut out the center of the paper, leaving a frame about
  1/2 to 3/4 inch wide

- vary the expectations depending on the age/ability of the children (older
  children may be able to cut out their own shapes and it can be divided into random parts)
- this compliments "Stained Glass" Cross (Art/Christian activity)

Materials
- construction paper or card stock
- tissue paper that can be cut into 1 inch squares or torn into small pieces - a variety of colors or
  specific colors to suit the frame
- waxed paper
- watered down glue
- brushes for gluing

Construction
- prepare small containers of the glue mixture (approximately 1:1 ratio of white glue and water)
- distribute the waxed paper to be used as the surface for the tissue paper to be
  glued to (if paper is being used to protect the tables/desks, be sure to remove the art immediately
  upon completion to avoid the art being permanently stuck to the paper)
- use the brush to put the water/glue mixture on the waxed paper
- distribute the shape being used (older children may cut out their own shapes ahead of time)
- place the black construction "frame" on the waxed paper
- place a piece of tissue paper in the center of the frame and use the brush to gently brush a light coat
  of the glue mixture
- continue to put one piece of tissue paper at a time overlapping the pieces slightly each time and
  remembering to brush with the mixture each time
- after the sun catcher is completely dry, the excess waxed paper needs to be trimmed to the shape of
  frame
- hang in a window and enjoy the colors

Pine Tree Ornaments

Pine Cone Ornaments

Pine Tree Ornaments

Tree Ornaments

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- ornaments that can be hung on a 
  Christmas tree or in a window
- small pine cones can be used to form a 
  wreath

Materials

- pine cones
- glitter - assorted colors
- ribbon
- white glue or a low temperature glue gun
- optional - sequins, jewels, small pompoms

Construction
- apply glue to the pine cone, as much or as little as desired - older children can apply their 
  own glue on the pine cone and then sprinkle it with glitter
- a plastic lid or a container with glue in it can be used for young children to roll the pine
  cone around, allowing the glue to adhere to the cone
- once enough glue is on the cone, glitter can be sprinkled on it or it can be rolled around in 
  a container of glitter
- after the glittery pine cone has dried it may also be decorated with sequins, jewels, small 
  pompoms
- attach a loop made out of ribbon

Paper Plate Dove

Paper plate Dove

Paper Plate Dove


Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- tracers can be made as shown

- students use the tracers to make the parts of the   dove
- the tail and wings can be placed strategically on   
  paper plates with a scalloped edge. It gives a    
  "feathery" effect,
- plain paper plates are also effective

Materials
- thin, white paper plates (1-2 per student) 
- plates with a scalloped edge gives a fancier effect
- 2 tracers - one body part and one wing (to be 
  trace twice) Multiple tracers will be needed 
  according to class size
- glue
- green, yellow and black construction paper (green for the olive branch, yellow for the
  beak, black for eyes)
- the dove parts could be cut out for Kindergarten children and children without the tracing 
  and cutting skills

Construction
- trace and cut out three dove parts (have the dove's tail and the wings line up with the 
  scalloped edge to give the feathery effect)
- glue wings onto the dove body with the tip of the wing pointing up
- wings can be bent slightly to give a flight appearance
- cut out a small triangle shape for the beak, a circle for the eyes (one for each side) and a 
  leaf to be glued to the beak