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As mentioned in the October, 2003 issue of the "Rotation.Org E-Newsletter," we will tackle a topic each month and see if we can generate a list of techniques to use for specific methods of teaching. Let's start with Art.

It's a good thing there are lots of stories to tell: there are so many art techniques we can use to tell them. Any art methods, such as papier-mache or plaster molding, pottery or printmaking, can be used to recite, review, or reinforce a story. Art projects offer an excellent way to educate for content, but more importantly, they provide an opportunity to explore and express thoughts and feelings through participation in the process.

Exchange Volunteer modified title of post for clarity.
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Do A Diorama!

Recreate the scenes of a story by constructing individual or group dioramas, a scenic display of figures against a background. Each participant may make his or her own shoe box scene or the whole class may build one in a large cardboard carton.

Review the story with the learners and help each person decide which part of it to depict.

To make a diorama of the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), for example, set the box on its side so that the bottom of the box becomes the back of the scene. Cover the outside of the carton with paint or paper. Create a background on the inside of the box by cutting, drawing, or painting the scenery on the cardboard: a mountain road with bushes, sky, and so forth. Illustrate the story with clay sculptures, clothespin people, or paper cutouts of the traveler, the robbers, the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan.
I like this new format. I am very curious about some of the most interesting ART methods that people have tried. I am not interested in crafts but truly connecting real art methods with bible stories. I would like to know which art unit worked the best, and what story it went with. Sometimes I believe we can build a great unit that generates from a fantastic process in one specific workshop, in this case art. I hope I am explaining myself correctly. Instead of always choosing the biblical topic first and then creating the workshop specifics, ocassionally build off of one excellent workshop process. I believe that sometimes a really dynamite connection in one workshop can really feed the kids rather than many mediorcre units. I would not run each series this way but I would certainly make sure that every now and then there is a workshop that really stimulates the kids and adults. I do not believe in doing to do though so it must have a very strong biblical connection. So let's hear what the absolute coolest art unit processes have been. I obviously loved felting and Isaiah 1:18. But I have others and I have other very interesting processes that I am looking to use but have not spent the time searching out the best biblical application for them.
Group scenery created by age groups.

First have the oldest children come through the art unit and create large props out of tape and newspaper scrunched up, rolled up, folded in bundles then have the middle aged children come through and paper mache (all of this follows bible passage intro and discussion at the beginning of the class) then have the youngest kids come in and either paint the props or top coat with glue water and colored tissue paper. I do this with kids for vbs and I have done this at a preschool but I have never discovered just the right bible lesson to use this during rotation.
rebuilding the temple using paper sculpting

I did this with VBS kids a few years ago and it was one of the best activities that I ever have done with kids in church. Newspapers are strewn about in the sanctuary, kids come in and help clean up and then are taught how to roll tubes of newspaper to different lengths. After they have done this we come together in groups to create "contemporary temples" using masking tape and all the tubes that they have rolled (they secure the rolls with masking tape also). I have a few pictures that I can email to anyone that is curious. I am not sure how to post them here though.
This is going to be great fun.

And, it would be wonderful if we could get a list going to connect great art projects with specific stories. Here are two I can remember doing -- oops thought of a third.

Abraham and Sarah - We did sand art jars to connect it with the "grains of sand" scripture.

Jacob and Esau - Art project was self-hardening red clay bowls. Very neat.

Saul to Paul - conversion. They made reserve pictures. Two sides of a face.

And, folks, just a list without directions is fine, too.
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Clay and Stylus -- When talking about scribes copying the Biblical text, a stylus type item (or toothpick) could be used to copy a Bible verse onto clay. This would also work with the 10 Commandments.

Making pottery – can be used with many lessons – woman at the well, water to wine, etc.

Combining art and music by creating original rhythm instruments, then spending time with them in a music segment at the end of class.

Poster creation – students use colorful markers to create a poster that includes words, phrases, and drawings to convey an idea or concept from the Bible lesson.

Stitching project – Lydia

Collage – a small creation expressing a scene or idea from the lesson. A Thanksgiving collage that incorporates some things the child is thankful for.

Bookmaking -- used with a wide variety of stories. A small group could be assigned a specific part of the story. The various pages could be bound in order into a book.

Mosaics -- The churches and buildings in the Holy Land are filled with mosaics. What about allowing the students to create a small paper mosaic of the loaves and fishes. After they have completed their mosaics, you might want to show them a photo of the ancient church mosaic in Israel.

[This message was edited by rhondab on October 27, 2003 at 10:37 PM.]
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Before moving on to a new method -- to be named in the November rotation.org e-mail newsletter, let's recap the techniques we have generated for this month's topic, Art. Here's a list of what's been named in this discussion.

ART - Techniques

Bookmaking
Bubble art
Clay
Clay and stylus
Collage
Crayon resist
Diorama
Flower pounding
Marbelizing
Mosaics
Oil pastels
Origami
Paper sculpting
Papier mache
Plaster molding
Posters
Pottery
Print making
Recycled art
Reverse art
Rhythm instruments
Sand art
Scenery - group process
Scrolls - sketches
Tiles
Water colors

Also art techniques with a fabric twist -- we'll do another category later called banners/textiles --

Coat (muslin) with colored patches
Fabric origami
Fabric pictures
Stitching
Weaving

Ok, some of our favorite art activities:

"stained glass" window: from Lord's Supper rotation -- we used a plexiglass panel and the faux stained glass paint. Brainstormed different symbols and the teacher helped the older kids design the panel, then other groups painted on it until finished.

Model of Bethany -- for our Mary and Martha rotation. We were really stumped for an activity, so this is what we came up with. It's still on display in our art room. Made a papier mache base on a board, painted brown. Kids added trees, sukkots, houses, a well, etc.

Esther Purim masks -- we used the plaster tape to mold the faces of the kids (actually did this ahead of time). Kids painted their masks to represent the different characters and added jewels, hair, and other decorations. They used these masks in our drama workshop and also in our Purim celebration at the end of the rotation.

Illuminated Manuscripts -- for our rotation on the Bible. Kids illustrated our Bible memory verse using this ancient technique. We found information on the internet and pulled out old Bibles and books with examples. They really enjoyed this!

A similar activity: From Cornerstones lesson on Messiah -- using Timothy Botts' calligraphy book, kids listened to the music and responded to it in calligraphy and watercolor! VERY meaningful!!! His books are great if you haven't seen them! [Update 2016: In the past year or so, the founders of Cornerstones retired. Their website and materials are no longer available. ]

Mosaic tabletop: Moses rotations. We are currently doing a series of rotations on MOses. We are making a mosaic tabletop that tells about some of the key points of Moses' life. The kids have really enjoyed this, but it is rather teacher directed... If you had enough time, you could let the kids help with the design.

Joseph's coat: We had each child make a square using fabric pieces (older kids sewed, younger kids used fabric glue). Then we sewed these all together into a cloak for our drama workshop.

Mezuzahs: For another rotation on the Bible, we made clay mezuzahs. Kids then wrote their favorite scriptures to place inside and took home to put in their rooms.

Those are a few of my favorites....

Jaymie

Last edited by Luanne Payne
These ideas were generated during my workshop, "There are Methods to this Madness," at the CMA conference in Chicago in March, 2004.

I'm just listing them from the newsprint so there might be some duplicates.

Mosaic
Beads
Collage
Clay
Stamping
Shadow boxes
Tye dye
Colored mediums
Chalk
Body tracing
Carving dry wall
Papier mache
Carpentry
Scrapbooking
Box
Wind socks
Murals
Paint under table
Paper folding
Paintings
Mosaics
Handmade paper
Decorate cups
Quilting
Printmaking
Here are the art techniques generated at the "There are Methods to this Madness" session at the NET WoRM Conference in Detroit.

Drawing
Sculpture - wire
Paint
Clay
Crayon
Collage
Paper Mache
Scrapbooking
Sand art
Beading
Art Techniques from Methods Workshop at CMA 2005, Chicago --

Draw/picture prayer
Clay/Sculpture
Stained glass
Fish prints
Papier mache
Scrapbooking
Handprint art
Body tracing
Wood
Scratch art
Wikki stiks
THERE ARE METHODS TO THIS MADNESS
Chicago & Detroit Workshops

ART

Air planes
Clay
Collage
Doodling
Drawing
Model magic
Montage
Mosaics
Painting
Paper folding
Papier mache
Print making
Printing
Scratch art
Sculpture
Sculpy
Thumb print art
Tie dye
Wire sculpture
An art idea that could be used for any story that you want the kids to respond in some way in their own words (I’m thinking healing/miracle stories, Easter, or … ???)

Shepherd Art -- There are 3 "bursting in's" in the story. The angels do it to the shepherds, then the shepherds to the holy family, then to others "praising God." So why not make the kids the shepherds and have them do the "bursting" to tell the good news.
One FUN way would be to pose a group in front of a large piece of paper, trace their "bursting" pose, then sponge paint bursts of color inside their tracings. Above their heads you could add captions/talk bubbles (write out on separate "talk bubble" sheets just in case someone makes a mistake on the larger sheet).
From Neil MacQueen - November 08, 2005 01:50 AM


We used Neil's art project idea with GREAT success! Did this as one of our Advent family rotations using long pieces of white newsprint with red and green sponge painting. Kids came up with some super "bursting with the Good News" comments which parents recorded in speech bubbles. Hung them on the wall in our Fellowship Hall as part of our Christmas brunch celebration decorations (for the Sunday before Christmas). Looks great!
From Jan FPC Napa December 15, 2006

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