MeXICo~! Calaveras!

Otherwise known as SKULLS!

This is a great introduction video for the kids. Evn though it starts off morbid, it gets the message across really nicely that the Day of the Dead is in fact a happy day and a true fiesta!

DAY OF THE DEAD ANIMATION

We started out with these paper plate Calaveras, moving up to large paper ones and then tried our hands at a salt dough skull too!

I guess kids like the idea of something scary being cute and of course, the chance to really put their art skills to use!

Paper plate calaveras!

Paper calaveras

Cavalera salt dough beads!

Africa!! Topology project!

 This was a great project to undertake with my class. Being of mixed ages, the interest levels always vary and some of the kids don't always want to do as much as the others even if they enjoy it. But, here was a great task we could do in stages and kids could help out as and when they wanted!

We made Africa out of Salt dough! It was easy...seriously!

Making salt dough was fun - the kids loved the feel of it and just playing with it was a morning activity in itself!

The mixture I used was
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup water

This proved successful and able to dry by the time I returned from my holiday!

 

Adding the dough was great fun too  as we could take small or big chunks and push them on together! Even returning to the project a few days later, one of the older children helped me paint with water so we could add more dough.

We talked about mountains, hills, peaks, lakes and again, kids were able to listen according to their levels of interest.







One of my students already knew Kilimanjaro, while others were just happy to paint a big ocean!

Bath Bombs!

So, at work, I guess I am very lucky. I get to work in a wonderful, Reggio Emilia inspired school, which is basically a dream come true. The children are the leaders in their own learning, and I just guide them on their way! 

During the first month at the school, the theme was England. which was very appropriate for me!  We put places, animals, historical monuments on our big map and made anything from Stonehenge, Roses, bath bombs and a massive castle project that will continue for a few more themes too.

The finale was our bath bomb making session, putting the famous LUSH on the map (which the kids, aged 4-6 knew and told me was in Japan too! The power of advertising!)

I followed a simple recipe with corn starch , baking soda, salt, some squirts of food colouring and essential oil ...oh, and lots of kids helping me!

  The finished product ended up looking and smelling so good! It was certainly a great way to end a theme!