Vanilla Paper

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Craft Stick Puzzles

1. Use wide craft sticks. You may wish to paint them.

2.Choose a favorite art image and print it to appr. 5X7 size.
Also print a wallet size image for the front of the box.

3. Cover with clear contact paper to help them last longer. You can also varnish the sticks.

4. Line up the sticks straight. Glue the image onto the sticks. Let dry

5. Turn the glued sticks upside down, and using an exacto knife, cut in between each stick.

6. Glue or tape the wallet size image onto a plastic box and place stick puzzle into box. These seem like they would be very easy puzzles to do, but they are actually challenging, and elementary age students enjoy them. I use them as an early finisher activity.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Art and Teaching

For those of you who have taught art to children, at least for a little while, you most likely have heard the words "vanilla" paper, instead of manila paper. I happen to like "vanilla" paper better, and I don't bother to correct them when my students say it. "Vanilla paper" implies a good use of imagination and special quality to an otherwise ordinary and oft used material in the art classroom. I have seen some inventive, charming and attractive drawings from my students using this paper in their "free" time. Many have handed me thoughtful drawings sometimes with special messages on this paper for me to keep.
Which just reminds us that art is able to be made with any material in almost any way. The artist makes the material become, well, art! I frequently remind myself that it isn't my job to make artists out of people, but to help them discover that they already are artists. The best thing about teaching is seeing students turn manila paper into Vanilla Paper!