February 20, 2008

Theme:  Time Capsule

Goal of Session and/or Activity:  Students will create a time capsule filled with items that they think are significant representations of what is happening at this moment in time.  These will include news items and personal items.  Students will be encouraged to make predictions about events that might transpire between now and the time that the time capsule will be reopened.  A reopen time will be set and student info will be taken down so that invitations can be sent out to all who have participated.  The time frame will probably be short term, 6-9 months.  The time capsule will be buried just outside the library.  Additional containers will be provided for personal time capsules that students can make to bury at home and set their own reopen date. 

Books and /or materials featured:  Air and water tight containers large enough to accomodate desired items for archiving.  Collection of items to be archived for future examination.  Evelopes for personal predictions and messages.  Personal time capsules for home use.  A shovel for burying the completed time capsule.

• http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/35310/how_to_create_a_time_capsule.html
• http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/2315/2315_lensdreams_capsule.pdf

Number Attending:  Ten students and 1 instructor.

 

February 6, 2008

Theme:  Scrolls for Chinese New Year

Goal of Session and/or Activity:  Instructor will provide information on the Chinese New Year Holiday and the Significance of the Chinese Zodiac.  This year is the year of the rat.  Students will complete one, two dimensional scroll project and also decorate a wooden fan. Examples of Chinese motifs will be provided. Spin art kit will also be available to experiment with if time is leftover. 

Students will experience an appreciation for Asian influence and the development of reading materials in the orient via handling of scrolls.

Refreshments will be provided:  mini egg rolls, fortune cookies, oriental crackers, Wasabi peas, Pocky and tea.

 

 

   

 

   

Books and/or Materials Featured:

• Scrolls were made prior to class.  White muslin was cut into 12″ X 46″ strips and coated in one layer of acrylic Gesso.
• After fabric was dry each was hot glued to two dowel rods cut to the length of 12.”  One 1/2 inch dowel and one 1/4 inch dowel.  The larger will be the bottom of the scroll and the smaller the top.  A 36 inch length of red string was passed along the upper dowel as cloth was glued on.  this was to hang the scroll.  An example of an authentic Chinese scroll was used as a model for scroll creation.
• Students used ink, tempura and water color paints to decorate scrolls.  Rubber stamps with oriental themes were also used.
• Fans were unfinished wood and were painted with water color paints. 
• All items were allowed to dry at least overnight.
• Items were available for pick up the next day.
• Several library books were used as models for Chinese Kanji. 
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page  was also utilized to fine specific kanji characters.
• One example scroll, and two authentic Chinese scrolls were available for viewing.
• Spin art kit left from pre-school class was made available for all to try as an extra activity.

Number Attending:  Seven students.