Paper Plate Tree Weavings

This was one of those projects this year that my fifth graders LOVED. Consequently, so did all of my other grade levels and now they can't wait to make them too! I saw this idea on Pinterest and she originally used large macrame hoops as the loom. She then simplified it down and used Chinette plates (which work out JUST fine, though the hoops are absolutely gorgeous!)

We started by painting a simple landscape on the plate with tempera paints. When they were dried I gave them a cutting template with 9 cuts on the top and 2 on the bottom to string the loom for the "tree".

I brought all my kids down to the floor for this. Once you get all the yarn strung from top to bottom, you then pull your last piece down about halfway and wrap it around and around and around to create the "trunk" of the tree. 

(you can see how the trunk is wrapped here. When you are finished wrapping, tie the end off on the bottom to secure it. 

I gave my students options as to which yarn they could weave...fall colors in this case. 

Honestly, the hardest part of this project is stringing the "loom". Once you have that, you're good to go!

Happy Creating!

(More) Ndebele Dolls!

There is no doubt that this is one of my all-time favorite lessons to teach at the Florida Art Education Association Conference! Maybe someday if I have enough guts I'll teach it at NAEA too! It is such a wonderful lesson that marries culture with art-making with a sprinkle of Common Core on top!

 

(If you would like to see the list of materials to use and how to assemble the dolls, please visit one of my previous posts about this lesson here.)

Of cousre doing this lesson with teachers rather than students has it's advantages- teachers can sew and are just more careful and thoughtful with materials and ideas. Students still do a nice job with these, though! This particular doll (above) was created by a teacher who spent her childhood growing up in Jamaica, hence the beautiful colored fabric she used for her skirt!

A "class picture" of our Ndebele Dolls from the 2014 Florida Art Education Association Annual Conference in Daytona Beach!

This participant said her greatest memory was having her daughter on Christmas Day. I love the tiny tuft of hair on the baby's head!

If you are interested in teaching this lesson in your art class (it is adaptable to ALL levels...even adults!) you can get the PowerPoint at Teachers Pay Teachers!