Arts and Crafts
Create-A-Calendar
As a class, study several calendars. Review the names of the days and months.
Notice how some calendars list holidays or special events. Study picture
calendars, and discuss how pictures reflect the various months.
Use a word processor to create a calendar form. Divide students into 12 groups.
Let each group create a calendar page for one month. The group will need
to place the days of the week across the top of the calendar, then number
the days. Next, the group should write in any holidays during the month.
To add a personal touch, add students' birthdays to the calendar as well.
After the days are numbered, the group needs to prepare a piece of artwork
to go along with the month. You may wish to have each group write a simple
poem about the month as well and include this somewhere in its art piece.
When all groups have finished, gather calendar sheets. Double-check students'
work. Then, bind the pages into a calendar format. Display in classroom,
and use throughout the new year.
If possible, consider copying the finished calendar and sending a copy home
with each child.
Painted Fireworks
Provide children with red, white, gold, and orange paints; 6-8" pieces of
yarn; disposable toothbrushes; and paint smocks. Cover painting area with
newspaper or plastic, and make sure no portion of children's clothing is
exposed.
Show children how to drag yarn through paint, then over paper to create wavy
lines. Next, show children how to use paintbrush to spatter paint.
Finished "painting" will look very much like a picture of a fireworks
display.
Wall of Resolve
Discuss the tradition of making New Year's resolutions. Ask students to give
examples of resolutions people might make. Talk about realistic v. unrealistic
resolutions. For instance, it would be unrealistic for an elementary
school student to resolve to save $500 a month. But the student could
realistically resolve to save $1 a month.
Ask each student to make one resolution. Across the top of a sheet of paper,
ask students to print their resolution. Below, ask them to illustrate their
resolution. Have each student mount his or her art piece on colored paper.
Collect the artwork. Post the resolutions on one wall of the classroom. As
students enter the new year, draw their attention back to their resolutions
occasionally. Encourage them to keep their resolutions throughout the year.
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