L is for Lizards…

…specifically chameleons.   These nifty tree-dwelling lizards have the ability to change color…and move each eye independently – very cool.
Their colors change in response to light, temperature, anger or fear….contrary to popular belief, they do not actually change color to match what they are on.

The images below show the lesson pretty well….
*first the kids created abstract painting (using up whatever paint we had left)
*then we drew and cut chameleons out of card stock
*finally created chameleon habitats…..cutting leaves out of the same colorful paper adds a nice effect
*once they started making chameleons it was hard to stop :)

K is for Kites for Kids

My classes – from first to twelfth grade – all make these incredibly easy kites the last day of school. –

I was a little nervous before I started giving instructions- but once I saw the faces of the first group of kids,

I would have no problem telling the entire staff of the school to go fly a kite!

Each kite is constructed from a single piece of ordinary copy paper and are ready to fly in less than ten minutes.

Kite supplies:
Copy paper
Wooden skewer
Plastic streamers
Masking tape
String – at least 8 feet for each kite
Piece of cardboard – 2 x 4-inches is fine
Scissors
Hole punch

Kite instructions:

• Fold the paper in half,  “like a hamburger bun”
• Measure one inch from the fold from one end, and then about two and a half inches from the other end, (see picture above)  crease this diagonal fold
• Bend one side back to create the kite shape. Place a piece of tape vertically down the fold line so that it stays in place.
• Lay the skewer across horizontally from one point to the other, tape in place.
• Tape plastic strips to the bottom of the kite
• Flip kite over and fold the front flap back and forth until it stands straight up.
• Punch a hole in the flap about a third of the way down from the top.
• Thread the string through this hole and tie securely. Wind the rest of the string to the piece of cardboard.

That’s it!  Now go outside and fly your kite.  We did this in two rounds, the first kite was done under close supervision in order to teach the kids exactly how to make a kite – then we flew the kites for about fifteen minutes (they really fly) …then I called everyone back in to make another kite, this time with minimal instruction – I wanted to see if they could duplicate the project at home, or whenever a kite is called for!

That turned out to be an excellent strategy. Kids who were unclear on the directions were able to ask questions, and the others used the time to make one, two, or more kites – or decorate a single kite with markers and crayons.

E is for Eco-friendly

There is an endless variety of eco-friendly projects to be made. Using  just the materials at hand  may take a little creative compromising, but it is always satisfying to
rescue something that would have simply gone into the trash.  This does not mean making sandals from toilet paper tubes or other wacky crafts just for the sake of crafting.
Plenty of useful and attractive eco-friendly items can be created without a lot of work.

Recycle fabric and trim from damaged clothes, take a good look at the things you throw out – AND the things you purchase. This is not just a ‘save the earth’ sentiment – while that is important – saving your budget from unnecessary consumerism and teaching your kids how to conserve – AND be happy while doing it, is well worth the effort.

Book purses are a fun way to salvage damaged books.

Lunch bags from old tablecloths are MUCH more affordable than the $30+ designer lunch bags I’ve seen.

Bird Sculptures – which double as handy book ends – from nothing but a couple plastic store bags, newspaper, glue and a clothes hanger –
(two pins were pushed in to make the eyes.)

 

E is for Eco-Friendly …..and to be honest Running on Empty!   whew, what a day                     

 

Blogging through the A to Z Challenge here and at Sylvie Says… E for Eccentric  and Tree Girly-  E for Elephant

 

Enjoy!

D is for Dylan

Okay, this doesn’t quite fit the pattern of artsy posts and business plans- but – then again, maybe it does.

Sometimes inspiration and energy come from the unusual places. Lately not only am I strangely drawn to Bob Dylan’s music, I have been running across quotes, references, and images of his art everywhere I go.

His art is loose and cool, like his music….this train track image is one of his newer pieces, and one of my favorites. ..but it is sold out the  BobDylanArt website.

Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’.

Maybe it is a sneaky marketing ploy- throwing his music and name around more often,  maybe there is a message somewhere  – I just need a little dose of Dylan to remind myself that I don’t have to look like, sound like, talk like, or paint like anyone else….  or maybe I just like Dylan.

Either way, he filled up my D post nicely and for that I am grateful. :)

I am also blogging through the A to Z challenge here at Tree Girly – D is for Dave
and at my main blog Sylvie Says – D is for Dyn-O-Mite!