This project is from Paintbrush Rocket. Many of the students gasped "Whoa!" when I showed them the size of the paper we'd be working on (18 x 18). Students were highly successful. 

While the students worked, I read aloud the book "The Cay" by Theodore Taylor. We didn't have time to finish the book in class and I encourage you to read it at home! 

Here is another project from my older sister Amy Clay! I am always surprised at how much the kids love making the turquoise splatter paper, rolling the beads, and creating their necklace -- especially the boys! They love working with their hands and fashioning 3D artworks. Some of them finished their necklace just in time to bring home to mom or grandma for Mother's day. 

We talked about the stone turquoise and how the Native Americans oftentimes used it to make jewelry. I brought some turquoise from home  so they could see the beautiful colors! To create our paper, we first painted a 9 x 12 piece of paper blue and then splattered brown and black watercolor paint on top. The kids LOVED the splatter technique!

Here are all of the supplies we used: a plastic baggie to contain our supplies and necklace in between classes, beads, liquid glue, and string. 

I showed the students a magazine bead necklace that was purchased from a fair-trade store.   This necklace was created by a woman in a third-world country using pieces of paper from magazines.. The necklace was then shipped to the United States, sold, and the money was shipped back to her for her income. We used the same technique to create our own necklace!

This is another wonderful project courtesy of Cassie Stephens. Please check out her blog for more detailed instructions! 

This project is from Deep Space Sparkle. The kinders loved working with some new media. I held up a piece of yarn and asked the kids what it was and what it was used to make. They knew that yarn was usually used to knit or crochet blankets or for cats to chase. We are creative when we come up with a new use for the yarn! When they were working at their tables, I heard the kids tell each other it was "time to be creative" :).  They completed this project in about one art period and were very proud of their creations. Visit Deep Space Sparkle for more detailed instructions!