Art & Sculpture

Art ideas for JASON's Louisiana - Disappearing Wetlands expedition from Craig Hindshaw of Lamphere Schools:

  • From the summer institute training via Marti Dekker, make your own Voodoo Dolls
  • Learn about Mississippi Steamboats with the art of Currier & Ives
  • Have your students make their own Mardi Gra Masks, then have your own parade!
  • Last year, Iguanas, this year, its construction paper Alligators!

    Some Great Art ideas to help reinforce the academic ideas your students are learning!   Some of these ideas can be applied to everything, such as:

  • ABC Books
  • Star Books
  • Tiny Books
  • Tunnel Books

    Other of these ideas are very specific to creatures, which are associated with various JASON expeditions.   Use as you see fit!

    • Need an art project that's more on the report side?   Well, try an ABC book!   Start with a blank book, put Letter A on the first page, well...we'll let Marti Dekker explain it...  Read More...

    Tiny Books are an idea from the 2004 NEC Art Teacher.   These books make use of "mailing labels" for their covers!   Very Clever!   Very SMALL!!!   Download this Word document tinybooks.doc to learn how.

    Another art project that can be more report-ish is the Tunnel Book from Craig Hinshaw.   Download this Word document tunnelbook.doc to learn how.

    Leaf by Leaf is a great way to get your students out looking at leaves and then assembling then into Wetland insects and birds!   Download this Word document leafbyleaf.doc to learn how.

    Ever wonder what to do with all those pesky hole punches from the 3-hole punch machine?   Well...make a FISH!   Learn how by downloading this Word document fishscales.doc.

    Do your kids love Bugs?   Of course they do!   Make some very realistic and anatomically correct insects following the instructions in this Word document bugs.doc   (hint: you may also need bug wings from "frogs and toads" handout).

    Frogs, Toads, Bug Bodys, Fish, you name it.   Its in this one.   Plus some special creatures called "box" creatures.   You want a duck or crane to stand in your room?   Well this is how you do it!   Download this Word document frogsandtoads.doc to learn how.



    Download a two page Powerpoint with these JASON XV Mola creatures...and more!   Use in a tunnel book or to create your own posters or artwork!   Download jasonxvmolaimages.ppt

    If you really have plans to turn your room or hallway into a rainforest, then you'll probably need some animal puppets or scultpures of paper mache.

    Seen here in Marti Dekker's classroom are puppets & stuffed animals!   "I use two branches in my room to keep the students thinking about life in temperate and tropical forests. One branch is full of temperate puppets, stuffed animals, oak leaves, etc. The tropical branch has lots of vines, orchids, a sloth, monkeys, spiders, frogs, etc.

    If you prefer working with paper and paste, then download this Word document Papermache.doc from Craig Hinshaw to learn how.


    A big part of Native Panamanian culture are Molas, some examples from Panama are seen here:

    Please visit http://www.molas-of-panama.com/ to see more!   To learn more about how to help you students make them, download this instructional document called Molas.doc by Craig Hinshaw of Lamphere Schools.

    Check out these 'sketches from the panama rainforest' by Debby Cotter Kaspari www.debbykaspari.com/Sketchbook41.html

    Like the black & white "color me" image on the main page?   Its from JASON V Curriculum.   To download a Word Document with it, click on Belize.doc

    A clever miniature "ship in bottle" idea!   These were done by Marti Dekker's 4th Grade in Zeeland, MI when they read the Novel "Voyage of the Frog" from JASON XIV.   This would be a great idea to adapt to just about anything...even a rainforest tree & animal!   (yes, that's a nutshell, playdoe, toothpick & a piece of paper...)

    Your students like reading?   Last year we had "dive into your reading" but this year we're not monkeying around...as we are "reading monkeys" thanks again to Craig Hinshaw of Lamphere Schools.   Be sure to download this Word document ReadingMonkeys.doc   A great variation on this is to not "glue" the book into the monkey's hands, but use paperclips and then make a larger book that can be an updateable journal of your students JASON activities!

    Its hard NOT to like iguanas.   Especially when Craig shows us how to make one out of a single sheet of paper! Learn how with this Word document Iguanas.doc

    How about a Butterfly Mobile...

    Got a great idea to share?   Well, don't keep it to yourself!   Send it in!   We'll do our best to get it shared with the world.   Pictures are welcome!   Send your suggestions to Amy.Eifert@eds.com