How to make a NAIL CROSS

using horseshoe nails, wire and chord

...is posted in our Trial and Crucifixion lesson ideas forum:

https://www.rotation.org/topic/...3#442795680548229343

 

Member Trish asked:

 

Thinking of a tree rubbing. I am using paper so I am kind of limited to what we can use. Pastels or chalk would work, or I was thinking paint. I guess I could just have a couple different methods and let the children choose. Would that be appealing for this age group?
Trish

 

Carol responded:

Trish: This age group would enjoy having lots of choices. Set out all the various supplies and let them make the choices.

 

Other ideas: Modge Podge and little pieces of tissue paper (stained glass look). Or dying egg shells and breaking them up (you'd have to do that ahead of time) and then allow kids to glue the pieces to the cross.
--Carol

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More cross ideas moved here to consolidate topic....

<Diane Rasmusssen>
posted 

We are making cross necklaces out of masonry nails in our art lab. Because this is a fairly simple project and there will be waiting time for the hot glue gun, I would like to do another project at the same time. . . maybe an easy drawing project of some kind. Any neat ideas? 

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JanS
posted 

Have you considered making God's Eyes? These are done with two craft sticks in the shape of a plus sign. The sticks are then wrapped in yarn. I have also seen them done "super-sized" with tree branches.
Another idea would be to look at the different kinds of crosses (Celtic, St. Andrews, Latin, etc. etc.) and have the students trace the shapes onto black paper using a white crayon. Cut out the crosses and mount them on white paper with an explanation of each cross underneath. This could make a nice display and also create an opportunity to discuss the power of the symbol. The instrument of humiliation and death has become a symbol of love and hope for Christians.
Jan Snell

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<Tami Z>
posted 

Hi Diane! Depends on what age group you're looking for.....but we did a printed picture (1st and 2nd grades I believe) of 3 crosses with the words overhead "Do you know who died for me?". We used 3 different shades of purple tissue paper cut into small squares. The children used a brush to "paint" glue on and then attached the tissue paper. It almost had the stained glass window look. This project was found in Church Year Celebrations by Grace Publications ISBN 0-7647-010-0.

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Neil MacQueen
posted 

Mosaic crosses are nice.
You can buy bags of colored glass, tiles. the thinset and the board to put them on. Nicely expressive project. 

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Jan FPC Napa
posted 

Bring in different types of wood with different textures including wood with bark -- the roughness is what you're looking for. "I wonder what the texture of Jesus' cross was like?" Do a "rubbing" with thin paper using crayons, colored chalk, or charcoal.


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JanS
posted 

I am not sure where on the web you can find the different crosses, but I think a book on Christian symbolism would be helpful.
Do you have a church library?
I know that the PowerXpress curriculum has a page about the crosses in the Journey to the Cross unit, but you would have to buy the whole unit I think.
The curriculum is published by Cokesbury.
Jan Snell
 
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<Cheryl Chase>
posted 

My daughter made crosses at a senior high youth group conference. Cut cross shapes in clear contact paper. Peel off the backing and have the children put small pieces of colored tissue on it. You can also add thin copper wire around the edges. The finished product looks like stained glass. She hung hers in a window. They could also be used as bookmarks.

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Ken Wezeman
posted

It's not on the internet, but Abingdon has a book titled "Symbols of Faith." It has cross patterns and information. It is available from Cokesbury for $16.00. I believe the author's name is Stoner.

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<Barbara in Portland>
posted 

Augsburg Publishing House published a little booklet called "Draw Near the Cross-Lenten Devotions for Children and Those Who Love Them." I don't know if it is still in print, I think I borrowed it from our conference library. It has a picture of a cross (with an explanation of it's origin and meaning,) a scripture lesson, activity, hymn stanza and prayer for each day in lent. About 40 crosses! This resource could be used in many ways.

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We had a carpenter come in to make and stain wooden crosses with our kids. He made a small wood workers bench for the kids and they, with supervision, actually cut their own wood for the cross, went to a station, designed for children and set up by the carpenter, to drill their holes for screws which held the cross togetehr, hand sanded their cross and then stained them. FABULOUS UNIT. Find a carpenter and convey the ages and safety issues and you may have someone who can put this together like we did.