Phase: | After/Explain/Elaborate |
Activity: | Briefly review transparent, translucent, and opaque with students. Explain that students will be making three-dimensional suncatchers to hang in a window and "catch" the light. Suncatchers are typically made of transparent or translucent objects that "catch" or reflect light, similar to a wind chime but for light. Students may work individually, with a partner, or in a small group. You might want to cover tables in newspapers as this project can become pretty messy. Students will squeeze a generous amount of white glue into a plastic lid and swish it around to cover the entire inner surface. Students put one or two drops of each color of food coloring around the glue. Use a toothpick to swirl the colors around in the glue. Stop swirling before the colors get too combined or the final result will be muddy and brown. Let the suncatcher dry. As the colors settle they will continue to expand and create a dyed psychedelic effect. The suncatchers could take one to three days to fully dry depending on how much glue was used. It will be ready when the edges start to peel off the lid. After the suncatcher has fully dried, peel it off the lid, punch a hole through the top, add a string, and hang in a sunny spot. Students should complete an exit ticket with the following question: Circle the correct response. My suncatcher is made out of materials that are transparent, translucent, or opaque. |
Assessment Strategies: | Students will be assessed by answering the following question on an exit ticket: Circle the correct response. My suncatcher is made out of materials that are transparent, translucent, or opaque. Students will be assessed by observing if they created a three-dimensional object. |
Advanced Preparation: | Materials: white glue food coloring toothpicks plastic lids (from tubs of yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, etc.) hole punch string |
Variation Tips (optional): | You can also substitute liquid watercolors for the food coloring. Try clear gel glue and discuss the difference. |
Notes or Recommendations (optional): | Remind students that these suncatchers will change some over time. The longer they stay in a warm, sunny place the more they will change. As the glue hardens, the food coloring will shrink. |
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