This is a papier-mache project I designed when I was a student teacher about 26 years ago! Back then, papier-mache projects didn't faze me, lol. Now, they take so long to finish, plus you need a lot of storage space to store them all.
I have to admit, I've only taught it once since then. The problem I've found with this lesson is, if you only see your students once a week, like I do, the balloons deflate before students get a chance to put at least 4 layers of papier-mache on. I suppose now I could use plaster strips, but I'm not sure how heavy it might make these.
Anyway, you need balloons, acrylic paint, hot glue guns, paper towels, newsprint or newspaper, paste (I've always used the now discontinued Elmer's Art Paste which is essentially wallpaper paste).
Day one: blow up the balloons to the desired size for your fantasy planet (I had to tie the knots for most of these!!). Add at least 3-4 layers of paper-mache. Set them on a plastic container to dry. I rotate them throughout the day so they dry fully and evenly.
Once the paper mache is fully dry, cut the end of the balloon off and pull it out of the sphere. Then patch that hole with more paper mache.
Then students can start adding any accessories. This is where the kids can be really creative. You can use cardstock, cereal boxes/thin cardboard to cut out shapes and hot glue them onto the planet. You can use paper towel dipped in paste to create shapes and texture. You can create cones out of cardstock and hot glue them on.
Once everything is dry and ready, paint using acrylics.
For a final touch, varnish them to protect the paint.
Finally, I used a long needle to poke a hole with thread so they can be hung
Some completed works by Grade 7-9 students:
