Egyptian Projects






Every year I do an Egyptian project with the fourth grade. I try to time it so it happens right before their trip to the DIA where they see the sarcophagus.  I've done full body sarcophagus, but with only 30 minute classes, they take forever. Last year we did just the heads but since my computer crashed last May I lost those pictures but you can see them if you search under fourth grade. A favorite was the hot dog containers I picked up at GFC. The students decorated the outside and then made a clay mummy for the inside.  This year I tried the foil technique. At NSE we wrapped our glued paper with foil after we put a piece of cardboard on the back, then wiped the front with black paint. I wasn't very happy with this result so after some investigating I found I should have used four layers of foil. But I have over 260 4th graders and someone would have to melt a car for all that aluminum. So I had PKE and CE use permanent markers instead.  Next year I have my eye on the canopic jars. 

Comments

  1. kszwahlFebruary 11, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    I have done Egyptian units too with my 4th grades. I love telling them all about the mummies and jars. They always go "OO-oo-oo coo-o-ol!" Some day I will have to them again, it's been a couple of years.
    I am thinking of doing your foil and permanent marker project. Do any other markers or something work? I don't have many.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2012 at 12:28 PM

      I tried my washable Crayola and the color isn't nearly as intense and they did rub off easily. I would try Donor's Choose for help purchasing some sets of permanent.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2012 at 4:44 PM

    I think the washable kind of marker would rub off. I bought the sets of permanent 2 years ago and they really last. I'll try my washable next week and let you know. Thanks for commenting! There is a good world book video, only about 4 minutes long that explains the reason the Egytians mummified their dead. I think you could find it on Youtube. I'm not saavy enough to figure out how to link videos. Enjoy

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mrs. PFebruary 14, 2012 at 9:14 AM

    Great ideas! Love the hot dog container sarcophagus! This year I made 3D pyramids and the kids loved those (with mummies inside--each pyramid told the individual student's life story). I've tried the aluminum foil technique (under "Medieval Metal" on my blog, but used yarn underneath and 1 layer of foil, that worked well but could be a nightmare if you were trying to copy a detailed drawing of a mummy head....but maybe you could adapt it and provide a basic outline of the head, have them outline the basic shape in yarn, cover with foil and then add details to the sections with permanent markers...hmmm...may need to try this! Thank you so much for sharing! Love your blog! Mrs. P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2012 at 12:33 PM

      Mrs. P thanks for the comments. I tried to find your 3D pyramids on your blog but couldn't find them. Did you photograph them? Love your ideas, wish I would have seen the positive negative valentines before this week.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Twitter

Image
Thanks to mesmrswhitesclass.blogspot.com  who gave me the idea for this bulletin board. When our district kicked off the new school year, teachers spent time "Tweeting" each other as part of our break out session. While I lOVE lots of technology I am still a bit old school and like paper and pencil in hand. My oldest son is a SUPER senior in architecture and I remember him telling me how some students struggled with perspective drawing because they had learned only in a computer program unlike Jeff who learned the way I did over 25 years ago. Just today I had a teacher ask me advice about her son's college direction and I always say, "Tons of kids want to be game designers or graphic designers, do them a favor and make them take a ceramics or sculpture class, they need to experience 3D, hands on." Okay, off my soapbox. This was just a fun idea and by 2:00 the board was FULL of ideas on how "Awesome" a teacher is or how a grade level "Rocks!"
Read more

Plaster Plaques An oldie but a goodie

Image
Start by having the students draw an image on the inside of a styrofoam tray.  It's a good idea to have them draw an idea first on paper. Make sure to tell them NOT to push to far into the foam that they poke a hole Then mix up a large amount of plaster and pour into trays. I used a scoop to pour from a 5 gallon bucket. I did the pouring after school and it took about 35 minutes to do one class.  About 5-10 minutes after you pour and the plaster starts to set up, drop an opened paper clip on the back so later the students can hang their artwork. Make sure you put the trays in the "Up" position because you wont' be able to see the artwork to know which way is up.  These are unfinished because we ran out of time during camp, but you can use any type of paint to color.   Last fall one of my 3rd grade classes studied Shakespeare so the students drew an image from Romeo and Juliet.  Another good prompt is to have them draw their favorite book character.
Read more

Lines with Kinders

Image
In past years I have usually done a two day lesson on Mondrian. We paint large black lines across our body and then paint in primary colors the next lesson. This year I have a young (er) group of students and since it's only week 3 they are still learning procedures in the art room. I decided instead to discuss line in a different way. On top of that some wonderful staff member put a HUGE stack of precut strips of colored paper on my desk. I HAVE AN IDEA!   We discussed how lines can bend and fold and go over and under.  The students were so excited. I also tried out plastic containers with sponges soaked in glue.  Much less messy but make sure the sponges are just barely moist as water and glue make an adhesive that may not stick as well.  An update on the master's research...10 more weeks and I won't know what to do with the 20+ hours I will have to, oh I don't know, create ART!
Read more