In lesson plans last week, teachers at Creston Elementary arranged for students to explore projects of a celestial theme to help commemorate the passage of time and the start of a brand new year. But, rather than acquiring pint-sized space gear and making the arduous journey out into the heavens themselves, these kids were given the chance to get up-close and personal with moon phases, alien goo, and fireworks rings – right from the warm comfort of their own school setting. "Alien goo and fireworks rings, what are those??" you might be asking. Well the answer awaits, earthlings.
Students began their journey into space with a series of sensory activities designed to create a tactile and messy – but safe and engaging – learning experience. Moon rocks were made using clay and other polymer materials. This gave them the experience of feeling what the moon might be like (and no, it isn't made of cheese!)
After the moon rocks had run their course, it was time to get really messy by transforming them into an abominable space goop! Students used water, borax, food coloring, glue and other materials to create a stretchy, icky substance seemingly not of this world...
When this alien substance (reminiscent of the '50s horror flick, The Blob) was finally put to bay, kids got to spend even more time getting their hands dirty with ooey glue-y moon paintings. Made from a mixture of glue and salt, these paintings dried into beautiful, ethereal depictions of our favorite natural satellite.
To close out their series of planetary projects, students got to take their learning ventures to new and delicious heights using cookies of all things! Did you know that cream-filled cookies can make excellent representations of the different phases of the moon? The cream-covered side of an open Oreo, for example, can represent a full moon, and then be whittled down until it is a bare cookie (aka a "New Moon"). At the start of the project, each child got his/her own moon chart to reference while they worked. The end product was a treat!
Lastly, to help kick off 2015, Creston kids made some firework art using craft glue, dye and special markers. What better way to start the New Year than with some bright and colorful displays of creativity?
For the more fashion-conscious among us, these firework rings were easy to make using only pipe cleaners. Here's hoping the rest of the year follows suit and comes in style!
Comments
Post a Comment