It's That Time of The Year!

It is that wonderful time of the year where it becomes CRAFT SEASON! I am making sure the Dolphins get in their crafty-ness before they leave me for Holiday break. Every year the 6th grade Language Arts teachers at Cramerton hold "Craft Day" the day before we get out for Winter Break. It is an absolute blast and the students LOVE it! Here's our process:

In order to prepare the students for "Craft Day" students are introduced to the lesson by having to give oral directions. Using THIS SMARTBOARD LESSON students have to give myself, students, or Mrs. Nault (Power of 2 Teacher), step by step directions on how to create a picture. I begin by telling students I have never seen Spongebob Squarepants, a Christmas Tree, or a cat before; in my entire life (fingers crossed). The first picture we create is Spongebob Squarepants. Students give directions and I totally go crazy with them! If the "draw a square" direction is given, I draw one of two extremes. Students get either a HUGE square or tiny square drawn by yours truly. Students then get the idea that I have "no idea" what I am drawing and begin to give more specific directions. Once students have taken turns and given precise directions, we move onto the second and third pictures. Students really get the idea of how exact directions have to be relayed in order for me to draw what they are intending. I get directions that even sound like "Draw a circle on the top middle of the square that has a one-inch diameter." <~ Pretty specific!

Mrs. Nault getting directions for a Christmas Tree.

The Blue Dolphin finished tree!

The finished cat from the Blue Dolphins and Mrs. Nault!

Riley getting directions on the Gray Dolphins' tree.

Great job Gray Dolphins!

After we create all three pictures, I tell students that they are going to write an "essay" for a partner on how to make a craft that they are familiar with. Students can choose any craft! I have seen everything from Christmas ornaments, bird feeders, tie dye t-shirts, and gingerbread houses. Students then decide on their craft, give it a title, and list their supplies. They take home THIS LETTER to get parental approval for their craft, as well as a written reminder of when supplies are due.

This week we are working on our actual Craft Day essays. Students are writing an introduction about their craft, where they learned to make it, and why it is special to them. Then students list their materials along with their step-by-step specific directions. Last but not least, students finish up their essay with a conclusion paragraph about cleaning up their area and using their created craft. Students will get with their partner the last day of school before break, Thursday the 20th, share essays, and create crafts.
I am definitely sharing pictures of that day ;)