Sasha is having a “Charlie Brown” moment with some Holiday Lights. While she untangles herself, let’s have some fun with making Holiday Decorations. Did you know you can make cool ornaments from simple cardboard tubes that you usually just throw away? First flatten the tube. On one edge create half your ornament design. A Reindeer, a Snowman, a Mouse, an Elf, Santa, a Tree, even Dinosaurs. Make sure part of your design is connected at both edges, especially at the bottom to allow it to stand. Carefully cut out and complete your design on the other half. Use Markers, Crayons or Colored Pencils to finish. Glue a little cotton to the finish the Santa Hats, Beards and other accents. You can make tubes with construction paper as an alternative and follow the same steps too! The 5th graders in our readingtokids.org December Event had a Great time with this craft.
Have you ever made paper Snowflakes? Millions of Years Ago when I was a child, I learned how to make Paper Snowflakes. Take a piece of paper fold over one corner to make a square. Cut off excess. You can use the same process to make a smaller snowflake. Make a second and third fold.
At the bottom of the triangle opposite the point of the folds cut out the center to shape the legs of the Snowflake. You can also make small cuts on the outside edges. Be careful too deep a cut can damage or cut off the leg(s). Open carefully and you have a Snowflake! Try your new skill at making a smaller one with the scrap piece and an even tinier one with the scrap from the smaller one! Don’t worry if you make a mistake. No two snowflakes are alike. So be creative with your cuts. You can add Glue & Glitter or Glitter Glue to make them Sparkle! Snowflakes today have Six Points. But these have Eight! Our Snowflakes must be Prehistoric Snowflakes! Snowflakes today must have evolved losing two of their points. Imagine That!
If you wish to make current day Snowflakes, the difference is the third fold. Instead of another ½ fold you fold it in thirds. Each third must be equal. You may have to refold a couple of times to get it right. Next you cut off the top two points. The bottom of the triangle (longest point) is the center. Cut your design to make the legs. My favorite designs are with legs of different sizes. You decide. You can always shorten one of the legs and add more cuts after refolding the snowflake. Practice will help you figure out where and what types of cuts for creating the Snowflakes you like best.
Sasha still tangled helps me finalize the “Nice List” for TySantasaurus Rex. TySantasaurus Rex is getting ready for his Prehistoric Quest with his Nine Raptor Team – Brison, Xavier, Jeffrey, Jerry, Jadon, Charlie, Alan & Blue led by Raphael the Red Nose Raptor.
Stay Tuned for the Prehistoric Quest, More Dinosaur Fun Facts, Fiction & Crafts!
Happy Holidays!
Here are 3 of my favorites Museums. Remember Social Distancing & Masks to keep You & Others Safe while Everyone Enjoys Their Learning Experience. Consider a Membership with the Museum. In addition to Supporting Their Valuable Work there are Benefits to You. Special Preview Events for Members Only as well as Virtual Access Exclusive for Members. For more information and access to general public eLearning check out the links below.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County www.nhm.org under Research & Collections / Digitized Collections will allow you to browse their Collections. Check out the latest Activities on their site.
The American Natural History Museum www.amnh.org You will find eLearning for Families, Students & Educators. Explore the Museum Virtually. Check Out SciCafe: Video Talks and Meet the Icons: Stories behind the Exhibits! There are Video Series covering Behind the Scenes at the Museum with Space & Dinosaur Explainers.
Chicago’s Field Museum www.fieldmuseum.org You can talk to “Maximo the Titanosaur” online, Yes Really! Visit Sue the largest T-Rex discovered! Check Out “Brain Scoop” and the Learning Resources – many are also in Spanish.
Check Out Your Libraries eBooks. My local Library has over 900 eBooks on Dinosaurs! Here are four books for Drawing Dinosaurs that you might find at your Library. Ask your Librarian about others.
1-2-3 Draw Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals A step by step guide by Freddie Levin (2001)
Draw 50 Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals by Lee J. Ames (1977)
Draw it Dinosaurs by Patricia Walsh (2006)
I Can Draw Dinosaurs by Terry Longhurst (2003)
Stay Safe & Well.
Please Remember to Wear Masks & Social Distance as Appropriate Not everyone has been Vaccinated. And even vaccinated many Young & Old have compromised immune systems. Protect Yourself, Friends, Family & Everyone You Pass!
Thank You!
I used watercolors to make Dinosaur Designs on my N95 Masks. I couldn’t get a yes or no from 3M regarding any impact this might have to the effectiveness of the mask. Many Museums sell Dinosaur Themed Masks Check them Out!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
Your feedback is appreciated, comment below or email:
Thank you!