Memory Wire Bracelets

Here's a beginner jewelry project if you've been wanting to dip your toe into a jewelry project with your class. I taught this to Grades 7,8 and 9 but I could easily do it with younger students.

I taught this with a fellow colleague who owns some memory wire bracelets. She ordered the wire on Amazon. It comes in two colours. 

I created kits out of lidded containers and put two mini pliers in each. 

This is where they stored their supplies, beads, each class. 

I ordered a variety of beads on Amazon and also bought some at Dollarama. 

Students cut off a length of wire, depending on how many 'wraps' they want around their wrist. Close off one end with the pliers and simply start stringing the beads on. Once finished, bend the end closed with the pliers. That's it!

 

Leaves Observational Drawings

Autumn is starting here where I live in Canada. It's the perfect time to go outside with a class and gather some leaves to draw.  My Grade 4-6 students practiced observational drawing with their leaves.

I turn off all the lights in my room and just use the lighting from the window. You can also light with a lamp if you have one. Have them focus on creating a contour drawing first, then start shading. 

The materials we use are drawing pencils, blending stumps and kneaded erasers (I only use the Faber Castell brand!).

This student sprinkled water on hers as she wanted dew drops.

 

Sign Language Hands Artworks

This is an open project I gave to my Grade 10-12 students. The only requirements I gave was to include realistically drawn hands. We should be able to read the sign language easily.  Other than that, the media was left up to each student. I love the variety 

This one was a gift for me from the student :)  It's my name. 

 

Black Glue Resist African Animal Watercolour

This is a popular lesson with students because it involves animals!  

I've posted the steps to this project previously HERE and HERE.

Mix up black glue, students draw a portrait of an African animal on watercolour paper. Go over all the lines with a skewer dipped in the black glue. Let dry overnight- I wait a week before painting.

Using watercolours, wet the paper loosely first, then just loosely dab on some colours, in the wet-on-wet technique. Don't overwork it or the black glue tends to dissolve, in my experience!

Some Grade 7-9 finished artworks: