More Molas- 2nd grade

2nd graders learned that the subject matter of Molas is usually plants and animals.  2nd graders examined the layers of fabric that make up a Mola.  Students cut and glued paper in layers to mimic the style of original Molas.  They added line repetition and pattern as well as a frame.  

Guatemalan Worry Dolls

 

Guatemalans put worry dolls under the pillows of children to take their worrys away.  Kindergartners spoke about their own personal worries and made worry dolls.  We talked about whether or not worry dolls really work or not when it comes to taking away worries.  Some of them believed they would work for them!!!  So cute.  I glued the craft sticks together for them using Elmers glue-all.  They had to wrap in yarn and add the head.

Kinder Molas

We explore the art of the Kuna Indians in a few different grade levels.  Although the authentic process of making a Mola is quite complex, there is nothing wrong with simplifying the assignment to meet certain objectives.  Here, the objective was cutting a symmetrical shape and using line repetition to add detail.  

2nd Grade Rainsticks!

Second graders have spent a couple of weeks now (I see them every day)  on art of Central and South America.  Here, we learned about the Chilean Rainsticks that the Aztecs used to "summon the rain."  Students constructed rainsticks out of paper towel holders.  They put tin foil inside the paper towel roll to slow the flow of the beads inside. This  mimics the cacti needles that are punctured into the authentic rainsticks.   I let them "have at it" with all of my craft stuff.  They loved it!!!

1st grade: Symbols from other cultures

1st graders are learning about signs and symbols in their classroom for How We Organize Ourselves, so I am trying to incorporate multicultural art projects that relate to symbols.  We examined the art of the Aborigines, who created wonderful dot paintings and used symbols to communicate.  1st graders made their own animal dot paintings and decorated the frames with aboriginal symbols and symbols of their own.