Here is a new art project for November. This project was inspired by this one at Ramblings of a Crazy Woman. I intentionally wanted to put out another project that involves cutting as many of my students still need cutting practice. Even though cutting is out on the art shelf all the time, sometimes the children who really need to practice don't choose to do the cutting work. However, I have found that if I incorporate cutting into an art project they are often drawn to the activity and (by default) end up practicing the skill they might not have chosen in isolation.
Here is the activity set up on the art shelf. From left to right are: two baskets for carrying the materials to a table (only 2 children may do this at a time); a basket of "corn" shapes (precut from white cardstock); a paper holder with 1-inch strips of yellow, red, orange, and brown paper and 1 1/2 inch strips of natural brown drawing paper; a basket with 2 pairs of scissors; a small tray with 2 glue bottles; and a tray with 2 gluing mats.
To do this work, the child takes a carrying tray and places into it: one corn shape, one of each color strip and 3 of the wider natural drawing paper strips, a pair of scissors and a glue bottle. They take the basket of supplies and a gluing mat to a table.
Here is what the materials will look like when set up at a table.
The first step is to cut the colored strips into small pieces. The child should hold the paper over their carrying basket to catch the small pieces as they are cut. Next, they will place the corn shape onto the gluing mat and use the glue bottle to make dots of glue all over the corn shape. The little colored pieces will be glued down to make the corn kernels. Finally, the child takes the three natural paper strips (this paper is similar to what brown paper bags are made from and you could substitute strips of paper bags) and crumples them up into a ball. Then, they straighten out the strips and (with teacher help) staple the strips to the top of the corn to make the corn husks.
Here is what the finished project looks like. I am excited to see how the children like this activity.
It's so cute!
Posted by: N | November 17, 2008 at 12:40 PM
I really like this one. I have pasting on my shelf, and I have so many requests from children to cut the paper to be pasted. This will be a great alternative. I, too, have many children that struggle with cutting (I have a very young classroom this year). I'll post again to let you know how it goes!
Posted by: Ms. S | November 17, 2008 at 05:50 PM
Great idea! Great use for those who just want to cut snippits too, have them put them in a bowl for others to glue!
Posted by: Lindart | November 18, 2008 at 06:39 AM
Love this idea!
Posted by: CC | November 18, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Hi, this is a cute project, another one bookmarked!
I have pledged today to post a comment on all the blogs I read, your of course is one of them. I love the ideas you come up with, thank you for sharing,
Jo
the pledge...
http://jojoebi.blogspot.com/2008/11/post-comment-pledge.html
Posted by: jo 戎嶋 | November 18, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Laura, love this idea. We're all stuck in the throes of Thanksgiving crafts. Thank goodness there are so many cute ones out there!
Caitlin
Posted by: Caitlin | November 18, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Thank you for being you!
I wish we lived closer, have I said that before?
Another bookmark for me too.
Sweet idea,thanks
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer | November 19, 2008 at 05:16 AM
We just did this yesterday! Thanks for a great idea!!
Posted by: Renee | November 19, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Another brilliant idea! How many new activities do you do/recommend in a week?
do they have something new to do/choose everyday as well as the usual Montessori activities?Just trying to organise my homeschooling life!
Posted by: umm | November 22, 2008 at 06:14 AM
Thanks for sharing this craft project. I had our church nursery children make these and it was a hit. All of the kids were able to make the corn opposed to the teachers doing it for them. My 3 year old daughter was very proud of hers.
thanks again,
jessica
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Posted by: Online pharmacy | June 05, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Hello, "My Montessori Journey". This Corn project is truly lovely. Very simple and yet timely and wonderfully practical. I would like to share it with my class of 3-6 years old. I will let you know how it went. :-) p.s.: your blog is very well made, thank you!!! Luisa
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