Art projects for middle school students:?

Question

I asked this before, but please read before answering.

1. Must not be expensive-- I have 30 students, so I can not spend more than 10-50 cents per student.

We are limited on supplies. We do have a lot of glue, yarn, construction paper, colored pencils, etc. but nothing too outstanding.

It can not be hard. 1/4 of the class is learning disabled. They get one on one help, but this needs to be a project the whole class can do.

It has to be done in TWO HOURS.



Thanks for your help. if you need more info, say so.

these children are about 11-14 years old.

Answer 1

Hi. I did this Mosaic art with the girls in my daughter's school. Using plain white sticker labels, preferably 2cm x 2cm. Usually comes in standard size a sheet. The girls will draw or paint (permanent markers or acrylic paint) anything they want on the whole sheet of label (e.g. cartoons, flowers, air plane etc, or even design every cube individually - quilt design) be sure that there's a background colour. When you are done designing, transfer the stickers over to a hard cardboard. It's fun & you'll see how creative they can be & it doesn't cost much.

Answer 2

This is an idea I've been wanting to do for awhile. It's not really an idea related to a known-artist topic. But, I like to cross-age-teach, that is, have older children create something that teaches younger children. I've been wanting to pick a large statue of a human, or use a real person. and then sketch or photograph twelve pictures of it from twenty feet away from different angles, just like the twelve positions of a clock. Then, I want to laminate the 8X10 pictures (on printer paper) and package them up as an activity for Kinders to do in a classroom. I would put something non-descript in the center of a large open area, such as a ball, to mark the center or, where the statue or person would have been standing. Then, have the children arrange the twelve pictures in a circle around the ball in the correct sequence of perspective. See what I mean? Gosh, children would gain so much with that activity that would help their artistic eye.

Answer 3

I suggest you choose a theme, coming up is St.Patricks day,Mother's Day (UK), the Vernal equinox, April fools Passover, and Easter.

Then think of activities, as above masks is good, or hats/silly hats (irish, spring, fools easter bonnets), cards, keepsakes, themed pictures/collages (shamrocks, lambs, bunnies, Daffodils, eggs etc.)

You not need to buy any more resources depending what you actually have, but pasta can be really cheap, coloured tissue or other papers can be great. newspaper can make a great starting base for hats etc.

You know your students and what you have at your disposal better than any of us can, just have a think.
Hope you get sorted to your satisfaction :0)

Answer 4

Try Oriental Trading Company. They have a lot of craft kits for sale, many of them average out to 50 or 60 cents a piece. It might also give you an idea for using what you already have available

Answer 5

How about buying some macaroni noodles and decorate a paper plate with them spelling their names! Use the yarn and other supplies to decorate it! I love the idea!
Get the cheap noodles at a buck a box, if not less

Answer 6

Make masks. Either from paper bags or just flat with yarn ties.

Answer 7

hi.for more help visit discovery.com .it is interesting.try it out now itself.bye and wish you all the best.

Answer 8

LOVE THESE...

9 Easy to Make Musical Instruments for Kids
by Amanda Formaro

Children love music as much as they enjoy making things. Why not join these two creative forces and make one or all of these fun and easy musical instruments to encourage play and creativity.

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DECORATIVE ITEMS

For any of these activities, you can leave the items plain or decorate them. If you need ideas for decorating these projects, try any of the following items. We are sure this list will help you think of even more items you can use. Combine different things such as buttons and glitter or sequins and yarn. Let the children's creativity surprise you!

Keeping items such as these in a large plastic storage container makes for easy access and quick clean up.

sequins
buttons
yarn
ribbon
masking tape
beads
glitter
sand
cellophane
construction paper
magazines
photos
crayons
markers
colored pencils
paint
nail polish


When you are finished constructing your instruments, have a camera ready to take a picture of the band. Record this activity in your child's scrapbook so you can look back in years to come.


TAMBOURINE

2 paper plates
stapler or glue
hole punch
string
jingle bells
crayons

Staple or glue two paper plates together, facing each other. Using a hole punch, make holes around the plates and tie jingle bells to the holes with string. Decorate the tambourine with crayons.

Shake to play.

Note: Heavy duty paper plates may be more durable for this craft.

Safety note: If using a stapler, an adult should do this. When finished be sure to cover the staples with scotch tape.

DRUM

empty oatmeal box with cover
yarn
pen
2 pencils
2 spools
construction paper
crayons

Before beginning, you can decorate the oatmeal box with construction paper and/or crayons for a colorful effect.

Place the cover on the box. Use a pen to make a hole in the center of the cover and in the center of the bottom of the box. Through these holes, pull a piece of yarn long enough to hang around child's neck and down to their waist.

For the drumsticks, place the spools at the ends of the pencils, secure with glue if necessary.

Beat to play.


CHIMES

ruler or stick
washers
nail polish
string
mixing spoon

Hang the washers from the ruler or stick with pieces of string by wrapping the string around the ruler or stick and securing. Strike the washers with the mixing spoon to play.

Note: You can make this craft colorful by painting the washers first with different color nail polishes, such as red, gold, glittery, etc. Parents should supervise this part of the activity closely.


HORN

paper towel roll
waxed paper
rubber band
pen

Cover one end of the paper towel roll with waxed paper, secure it with a rubber band. Punch a row of holes along one side of the roll with the tip of a pen.

To play, sing a tune into the open end of the horn.


CYMBALS

two matching pot covers
yarn or ribbon

Tie the ribbon or yarn around the handles of the pot covers. To play, strike together.


XYLOPHONE

tall glasses or jars
water
mixing spoon

Fill the glasses or jars with different amounts of water. The more water in the glass, the lower the pitch will be. Having less water in the glass or jar will raise the pitch.

To play, gently strike the glasses with a mixing spoon.

Note: This instrument should probably be played by older children in "the band" because of the use of glass.


COMB BUZZER

pocket comb
tissue paper

Fold a piece of tissue paper over the tooth edge of a comb. To play, hum through the tissue paper.


GUITAR

empty shoe box
rubber bands
ruler or stick

Remove the cover from the box. Stretch the rubber bands around the box. Attach the ruler or stick to the back of the box on one end to act as the arm of the guitar.

To play, strum or pluck the rubber bands.


HAND BELLS

2 paper towel rolls
hole punch
4 jingle bells
string or yarn

Punch a hole in each end of the paper towel rolls. Tie two jingle bells to each side of the paper towel rolls by running string or yarn through the holes and carefully tying off.

Shake to play.

Have fun and let creativity and imagination run wild! Record the band's first song and play back for some great giggle time. Enjoy!

20 Recipes for Homemade Art Supplies
by Michelle Jones

This article is for all the moms, dads, grandparents and childcare providers who are trying to stretch their dollars and still provide fun activities and supplies for the children. Below you will find 20 recipes for homemade art supplies including play dough, modeling clay, paint, slime, goop, glitter, sidewalk chalk, papier-mâché (paper mache) and multi-colored crayons.

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Homemade Art Supply List
Along with a good supply of crayons, markers, chalk and lots of paper, your children (or grandchildren) will also love playing with these homemade art supplies and games. You can purchase many of them at the store, but why not save some money and teach your child how to be even more creative by making their own supplies?

Children love seeing how things are made, and they love the time you will be spending with them while making these projects. If you don't have kids at home, try making up a batch of something just for yourself, I won't tell if you don't!

I have been collecting these recipes for 13 years, many of them are scribbled on a scratch piece of paper. Enjoy!

Glitter

Mix together 5-6 drops of food coloring and 1/2 c. salt, stir well. Cook in microwave for 1-2 minutes or spread out on a piece of waxed paper to air-dry. Store in an airtight container, as with all of the art supplies in this article.

Sidewalk Chalk

1 c. plaster of paris
1/2 c. water
2-3 T. tempera paint

Mix plaster of paris and tempera paint, then add water and mix well. Pour into molds and let dry for 24 hours. Remove from mold and let air dry for 2-7 days depending on size. You can use paper cups, plastic butter tubs or food trays, candy molds, muffin tins, or even toilet paper tubes covered with foil on one end.

Finger Paint

1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/2 c. cornstarch
3 T. sugar
2 c. cold water
Food coloring
Dishwashing liquid
White shelf paper

Soak gelatin in 1/4 c. warm water and put aside. Combine cornstarch and sugar in medium sized pot. Gradually add remaining water and cook slowly over low heat, stirring until well blended. Remove from heat and add gelatin. Divide into containers, adding a drop or two of d/w liquid and food coloring to each.

Paint

1 c. liquid starch
6 c. water
1/2 c. soap powder
Food coloring

Dissolve soap powder in water, add starch and food coloring.

Edible Peanut Butter Play Dough

This recipe is especially good for toddlers because they can play with the dough and then eat it. (Be sure to wash hands and work area!) It's also one of my favorite candies, when made with peanut butter and powdered sugar!

1 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. honey
1 c. plus 1/2 c. powdered milk

Mix ingredients and roll into balls.

Cook Play Dough

1 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
2 tsp. cream of tarter
1 c. water
1 T. oil
food coloring

Mix first three ingredients together and then add last three. Cook on low heat, stirring constantly, until it forms a ball and becomes dull.

Kool-Aid Play Dough
(no cooking required)

3 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
1 pkg. unsweetened Kool-aid
1 T. alum
2 c. boiling water

Mix together first three ingredients then add boiling water. Knead dough with up to an additional 1 c. of flour until it becomes the right consistency.

Jell-O Play Dough
(no cooking required)

4 c. flour
1 c. salt
2 pkgs. unsweetened Jell-O
4 tsp. cream of tartar
2 c. boiling water
2 tsp. cooking oil or baby oil

Mix together first three ingredients then add boiling water and oil. Mix together well and knead until dough becomes the right consistency.

Sticky Putty

3/4 c. plus 2 T. water
1 tsp. Mule Team Borax
8 ounces white glue
Food coloring

Heat water over medium heat and add borax, stir with wooden spoon until dissolved. Add glue and a few drops of food coloring, stirring constantly until glue and water mix. Pour into a plastic bowl and cool.

Modeling Clay

1 c. cornstarch
1 and 1/2 c. water
16 ounces baking soda

Combine cornstarch and baking soda together in large saucepan. Stir in water and cook over low heat until the mixture becomes thick and forms a ball. Remove from heat and cool. Knead the dough on a countertop dusted with cornstarch until smooth.

Air Dry Clay

3 c. flour
1 c. salt
1/2 c. white glue
1 c. water
1 tsp. lemon juice

Mix together until well blended. Mold into shapes or roll out and cut with cookie cutters. Let dry overnight before painting.

Papier-mâché

Mix one part flour with about 2 parts of water until you get a consistency like thick glue. Add more water or flour as necessary. Mix well to get out all the bumps.

Goop

2 c salt
1 c. water
1 c. cornstarch

Cook salt and 1/2 c. of water for 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add cornstarch and remaining 1/2 c. of water, then return to heat. Stir until mixture thickens. You can also add food coloring to this.

Multi-colored crayons

Peel broken crayons and melt carefully in a small aluminum pan at 350 degrees for 15 -20 minutes. Cool and break into new multi-colored pieces, or carefully pour melted mixture into small waxed paper cups and remove paper when cooled.

Disappearing Paint

Mix 1/8 tsp. "bluing" (laundry additive) with 2 cups water. Paint the sidewalk and watch the blue color disappear.

Face Paint

Mix poster paints with cold cream.

Cinnamon Clay

This recipe is great for Christmas ornaments or scented hearts around the home.

1/4 c. white glue
1/3 c. applesauce
3 T. cinnamon
1 and 3/4 c. flour
1/4 c. water

Mix ingredients together until dough forms a ball. Knead dough for 1-2 minutes, adding a little more flour if needed. Roll dough out and cut with cookie cutters. Bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes.

Crazy Putty
(this putty bounces)

3/4 c. of white glue


Add enough liquid starch until a ball of dough is formed, then add food coloring and knead dough until it's completely worked in.

Slime

1 c. glue
Liquid starch
Food coloring, if desired

Add starch to glue slowly until mixture becomes the right texture; slimey!

Lap Desk

Make a pillow out of scrap material, fiberfill and some poly/plastic beads to make it squishy. Attach a lap tray or board with strips of Velcro.