Modeling Clay Mayhem - The Meek Moose Makes Something on Monday

So, pre-kidney stone, I had attended Wetlands Bootcamp.  And it was awesome!  I had a grand time.  You can find tons of pictures on both Instagram and my facebook page of my week.  And I may even write a post about it.  Just not sure yet.  I have to say- once I start Instagramming and Facebooking, it's like, didn't I already write a blog post about that?

But I swear- by the end of this post- you will see how I sort of made this thing right here:

Except, now that I'm looking at this extra large picture, I think mine is, um, really not smart.  It's supposed to be a model to show kids the effects of erosion, pollution, the water cycle, and the wetlands.  I thought it was awesome, and I thought I wanted one for me too.  But now, maybe I should have just offered her money for hers...

Before we get to it- two things.  First- let's check in on the Meekster, eh?  How is she doing a week out from the 6mm Crisis?

Hello?  Is it me you're looking for? #lionelritchieface

 I'm hoping the face says it all. I have a training tomorrow- so I'm really hoping I have a different face on.  I'm thinking the complete absence of pain medication from my body will help. The facial expression anyway.  Not sure how that's going to work out for the kidneys.

Second- A quick link to The Teacher Tribune Monday Meet Up #6.  Because I enjoy writing random things about myself in cute little posters.

Okay- back to business.  Monday Made It:

Let's make an erosion/pollution/landform model.  You need a paint tray as a base.  I tried to get everything at the Dollar Tree- I'm a bit strapped for cash this summer after the five weeks of leave- so I'm counting coins.  However- there was a problem with the paint tray from the Dollar Tree.

Cracked by the time I got home.  This is probably why i was only a dollar.

So then, I had to get naughty.  I had no choice. I went and took the paint tray from the garage under my Dad's tools.  ONE- it was under a BUNCH of stuff, so he won't notice it's gone. TWO - he hasn't painted in years.  THREE- It's not like I'm going to get caught.  He doesn't read my blog. and my sister won't tell.  I'm assisting witht he purging of unused objects, I am.

So, here we are.  It's just not, well, pretty.

The supplies. Sponge brush, craft paint, modeling clay.

painting done

 I painted the sides light blue, the bottom portion dark blue, and the flat part green.  Basic sky, water, land areas.  I wanted this in case the modeling clay didn't do quite the job I was hoping.  Plus, it was starting to look like the two packs I bought from the Dollar Tree weren't going to be enough.

The key with the clay was to pinch off small bits and really ribbon them out as much as possible to cover the most area.  I didn't need a thick amount of clay on the tray. Just enough to press a Lego into.

building up the water

adding in strips of land

 And then here's my final.   But I just like how Dee's looked better. Maybe I'll go back and re-position the clay...there's a thought to keep me up all night.

I will be back with a video demonstration of how it works though!  I promise.   In the meantime- have you made anything that turned out in a way that you liked?  Go share with Tara!

 One day, I'll actually make something right on these Monday Made Its...

Storytelling and map making

My kids are having trouble drawing maps.

They can tell me that they are supposed to pretend that they are floating on the ceiling and look down to draw it- but then they turn in maps that look like they stood at their door and took a picture.  I don't know if it's just an age thing or what- but "perspective" is kicking my butt.

Also because of their age, paying attention for any good length of time- also tripping me up.  I decided to combine something I knew they liked- being told a story- with creating a map they could look at from up above to get some perspective.

You know from previous posts that I dig on The Three Pigs.  So we all sat down on the carpet and I grabbed up some construction paper, a pair of scissors, and a roll of tape and set to work.  I told my version of the three pigs.  (I'm working on putting it into book form- so you'll see it soonish, promise.) As I told the story, I cut simple shapes of paper and folded them into house forms.  This enthralled my ducks, I have to say.  WHOA! HOW DID YOU DO THAT?  They went absolutely nuts at just about each house.  Which also tells me, crafting will be fun with them this year.  They clearly haven't had a lot of experience- so if I can integrate that into the lessons, I'll get their attention.

At the end of the story I had a pretty simple map.  We each took a turn standing over the top of it to see how it looked.  I took this picture with my iPhone:

 

And then I popped it up on my promethean board, drew the basic outlines overtop of the photo and then removed the photo so the kids could see a map from an overhead perspective.  And then they went out to make their own.  They haven't finished them yet- but they are doing a much better job that previously. 

 

I've decided to get some other things to help with up in the sky looking down perspectives.  I figured- why not use dollhouse furniture when we try to make maps of rooms?  You can lay out the pieces in any arrangement and then just lean over the top of your desk to draw it- or even take a picture and put it up on the board like I did with this picture.  I also have lots of Toobs ( I bought mine at Hobby Lobby- but I think Michaels sells them too, and also Amazon) that I think I can also use to set out these little landscapes and create maps.  And then- here's the big moment- after I do this a couple of times- then THEY can create scenes and make maps.

 

 

 



I love map making, how about you?