Hello! With Summer Session 1 coming to a close, I’ve had a bit more free time on my hands. Which is perfect for what I want to talk about today.
Reflecting on the previous semester, one of my Art Education classes had us make an Explosion Book. For those who don’t know what an Explosion Book is, which was me 5 months ago, it is 2 pieces of paper folded in on themselves and glued together to make an origami book. Inside, it is filled with square/triangular sections. You can glue cardstock to the ends to make it sturdier. In this particular class, we were instructed to fill it with different art activities/projects/or any art-related theme for younger students. Here is mine:
For my Explosion Book, I wanted to create a bunch of mini art activities that students could do when they are bored. I also thought it could serve as a reference for me and future lesson plans. I had a lot of fun making this and searching for mini project ideas. For those of you who are struggling with art block or just want to do something creative, I thought I’d share a few of the mini projects.
This one is one of my favorites. I always loved scratch art when I was little. All you have to do is color whatever design you want with crayons, making sure to use a good amount of pressure so the color is vibrant. Then cover the crayon with a mixture of black paint and dish soap. I believe the ratio I used was 1:1. Let dry, then using a mechanical pencil with no lead or anything you can find, create a design by scratching away the black paint.
Another activity I included is paper weaving. This can reuse old paper scraps, magazines, or even ribbon. There are lots of patterns you can find online, but I did a simple one by folding a paper in half and cutting slits an equal distance apart on the folded side. Then, when you unfold the paper, you can weave whatever materials you want through it. This is great for younger kids because it allows them to practice their motor skills.
Even if you’re not a kid, you can still have a lot of fun with these activities. I have a few more I would like to share so if you’re interested, stay tuned for my next post.
Thanks for reading!
~Eleora