Gone Fishing

For the last peer taught lesson the theme was crafts. To start out we talked about geometric shapes and patterns. The teachers showed students how to create a few different shapes and how a pattern with the shapes and a different color for each shape would look. Then we got a paper plate that contained a large squared with 16 little squares drawn inside of it. We were asked to complete our pattern in those squares. 

When we finished our patter, we colored the boarder of the plate. Then we got a small triangle to color as the tail. Then we cut the mouth out and glued that as a fin. Next, we drew on gills and glued the tail on. The last step was to place a googly eye onto our fish. Once we were down, we went to the front of the class where the teachers had a background that showed a boat and a lake and took our pictures with our big catch! 

As an extension activity, I would have a water and sand table set up that included magnetic fish and a fishing pole where students could catch the fish during their center time in a preschool setting. They could be working on counting, sorting, or their fine motor skills. 

Paper Plate fish with patterns. 

Scrapbook Quilt

For this peer taught lesson, we focused on the use of paper. We were given some history of the look of patchwork quilts that members of the Lakota Tribe and people from the colonies make.  

We then were instructed to pick 8 pieces of 12x12 scrapbook paper that meant something to us. Next, we had to pick four of those and cut a 4x4 square out of them. Then we cut a circle out of the last four papers. After we had everything cut we glued the circle to the squares. Then we traced a 2x2 square on the back of the sqaures and cut out the small pieces. 

The next step was to create our quilt block by either matching up a piece from each square or putting the squares back together. We could also put all four squares together or leave a space in between them. I decided to leave all four squares back together because I didn't think that each of the small squares went together. I also decided to space it out. Once we liked the placement of our blocks we were able to glue them down. 

We were then instructed to decorate the extra white space around the quilt blocks. I decided to color each corner and do a squiggle tie in the middle. When we were finished we were asked to talk about each of our paper choices and why we chose them. 

As an extension activity, I would study different cultures that make patchwork quilts. Students could write in their journals like they were from a different culture or time period who really focused on patchwork quilts.  I would also talk about patterns in math class. 

My scrapbook patchwork quilt block

Name Painting

For this project, we were asked to create our name using different mediums. We started out by folding a sheet of white construction paper so that when it was unfolded there were 12 different squares. Then we glued six squares of colored construction paper (the orange paper on mine) so that the pattern alternated white and orange. 

We then were asked to draw our name or nickname using oil pastels in a different pattern. We could do any design or colors, but I decided to use navy blue squiggly bubble letters and then lime green normal letters. After we had all of the letters written out, we were asked to take out our watercolors. We had to create a secondary or intermediate color with the watercolor, so I created blue green and red violet. I also included a pattern in the way that I painted this by alternating the colors once again. 

As an extension activity for this project I would talk about patterns in math and use the students name paintings as examples. We could also talk about fractions and ask how many of the 12 squares each pattern are in and try to convert those into smaller fractions. 

My name painting. 

Pinch Pots

The next peer lesson was about clay so we made pinch pots. To start out we got a ball of clay in which we had to knead around. We then rolled it back into a ball and started pushing down with our thumbs in the middle of the ball. We continued doing this around in a circle to create the pot. Once we got the desired look, we took some water and used that to smooth out the pot as best as we could. We then painted it whatever color we liked. I choose to make a purple, but once it dried it was a lot darker than when it was wet. 

Then, we could either carve or paint symbols that represented our lives into the pot. I decided to paint and carve my symbols in so it was easier to see them. First I carved my symbols, and then I decided to paint them to make them stick out a little bit more. 

As an extension activity, I would have a social studies lesson about different cultures that make pinch pots, talk about the meanings behind them and what they mean to their culture. We can also map out where the different type of pots are located in the world. 

Inside of my Pinch Pot. 

Heart carved and painted on the side of my pot to represent the love I have for my family. 

Music Notes carved and painted on the outside of my pot to represent my love of music.  

Letters carved and painted on the outside of my pot to represent being a teacher. 

Quotation marks on the outside of my pot to represent my love  of quotes. 

Springtime Printmaking

The next peer taught lesson was about printmaking. To open this lesson the teachers showed us a YouTube video that had a song about spring time that we could sing and dance along to. Then we got a quick lesson about different types of printmaking. 

We then took out a piece of 12x18 construction paper and were instructed to draw something that made us think of spring. Once everyone had something drawn, the teachers showed us some of the different methods that we could use to paint our pictures. 

We got some paint and were told to go ahead and start painting our drawing using at least three different supplies to create different textures. I used a sponge, q-tip, marshmallow, and a sponge paint brush to create my textures. Once we were done painting we let it dry and then cut it out. My completed springtime printmaking is shown below, along with the bulletin board display of everyone's printmaking. 

As an extension activity, students could go on nature walk during science to see some of the things that appear in the spring. If they see something they can try to observe it closer to see some of the textures that are shown on it and try to copy that into their printmaking. 

My duck. 

Springtime Printmaking Bulletin Board

Melting Into Spring

This lesson was taught by myself and Morgan Lock. When we drew what type of project we had to teach, we got crayon and oil pastel. To start our lesson we had students go on a search around the room looking for plastic bugs that we had previously hidden. We then showed a clip from A Bug's Life and talked about some of the similarities and differences they see in bugs. 

To create our project we had the students pick up two pieces of folded wax paper and a file. We had pre-peeled crayons placed on each table for students to use. We instructed students on how to properly file the crayons so that they didn't hurt themselves while doing it. Then we let the students file as many colors as they wanted on one side of the wax paper.

When they were finished filing the crayons, they were instructed to fold the wax paper and carefully carry it over to the counter where we were waiting with irons to melt the crayons. We gave students the option of us leaving the iron on the wax paper and moving it around or placing the iron on their for a short amount of time, picking it up, and placing it on another spot. Both methods made the meltings turn out differently. 

Once the students let both of their meltings cool they were instructed to trace the bug template of their choice onto the wax paper or create their own bug. Once the bug was traced, they cut out the bug and glued it onto a piece of construction paper. They were then told to decorate their bug with oil pastel, sharpie, or pieces of other crayons markings. 

Students could make one or two bugs. Once they were completed they were asked to evaluate themselves on their work. We then took the bugs and hung them up on a bulletin board. The theme of our board was "We're Melting into Spring." Multiple photos of the bulletin board are posted below. 

As an extension activity I would take students outside on a bug hunt during science to see if they could find any of the bugs they created. We could also learn about different types of bugs and what makes them different. 

This is one of the bugs I created. 

This was another bug I created. 

This was our bulletin board display. 

Closeup of the left side of the bulletin board. 

Closeup of the right side of the bulletin board. 

Yarn Balloon Eggs

The next peer taught lesson was one where we created yarn balloon eggs. I have seen this on Pinterest many times and was very excited to be able to try this. To introduce this lesson, they used the book Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi. I thought this was a great way to introduce this lesson because one of the things we had to focus on once we started the project was wrapping yarn around the circumference of the balloon. 

To start the project we had to pick what color yarn we wanted to use. I decided to grab the blue and brown yarn because it was very neutral. We then had to blow up a balloon. We got a mixture of 60% water and 40% glue in which we were supposed to drag our yarn through and then wrap the yarn around the balloon. We were reminded to focus on the circumference many times throughout the lesson. 

Once we believed a majority of the balloon was covered, we placed the balloon in a cup to dry. Once the yarn was dry, the peer teachers popped the balloon. The glue on the yarn allowed it to keep its shape so the teachers could create their bulletin board display shown below. 

As an extension activity, students could take their yarn eggs to math class and try to figure out the actual circumference of their egg. They could also bring other items to class to measure the circumference of those things too. To incorporate the yarn again, they could wrap the yarn around the different items and then measure how long the yarn was to help them see the visual of circumference.