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Subjects

• Arts & Humanities
  - Visual Arts
• Mathematics
  - Applied Math
  - Measurement
• Social Studies
  - Holidays
  

Grade

• PreK
• K-2
• 3-5
  

Brief Description

Students create a keepsake cinnamon ornament for the family Christmas tree or to hang in a window.

Objectives

Students will

• mix ingredients to form dough.
• create an ornament.
• write a message to accompany the ornament.

Keywords

ornament, Christmas, cinnamon, apple, cookie, gift

Materials Needed

• cinnamon
• applesauce
• white liquid glue
• holiday cookie cutters
• rolling pin
• pencils, paper clips
• window screening, or cooling racks used in baking
• spatula
• ribbon

Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students create an ornament for their family’s holiday tree or as a window decoration.

Mix together 2 cups of cinnamon, 1-1/2 cups of applesauce, and 4 tablespoons of white glue. Knead the mixture for about 10 minutes. If the mixture is a bit too wet, add more cinnamon; if it is too dry, add more applesauce. The mixture should form enough dough to create an ornament for all students in a class of 25 students.

Note: If you prefer to have small groups of students working on this project, arrange students into groups of six. Have each group mix ½-cup of cinnamon, 1/3-cup of applesauce, and 1 tablespoon of glue.

Students take turns using a rolling pin to roll out the mixture on a board dusted with cinnamon. Then provide a cookie cutter (if all students will create the same ornament) or a collection of holiday cookie cutters. When the dough is rolled out, students press the cookie cutter(s) into the dough to form their ornaments.

Variations: You might provide non-holiday cookie cutters -- such as animals or a schoolhouse -- that would also be appropriate. Also, students can use the tip of a pencil or an unraveled paper clip to scratch a message into one side of the ornament. That message could be as simple as the student’s name and the year, so the ornament will serve as a memento of this holiday season. If the ornament will be given as a special gift, students might scratch a message of love for the planned recipient.

Use a spatula to lift the ornaments onto a sheet of wire screening (or a cooling rack used in baking). Use the tip of a pencil to gently poke a hole at the top of the ornament. Over the next two days, turn the ornaments a few times, so they will dry thoroughly. If necessary, ornaments can be baked in a very low oven.

When the ornament is dry, string ribbon through the hole, so it can be hung from a tree or window.

More Ornament Recipes

See some variations of the above recipe on the Christmas Craft Projects: Cinnamon Ornaments Web page.

Assessment

Not applicable.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

Submitted By

Gary Hopkins

National Standards

FINE ARTS: Visual Arts
GRADES K - 4
NA-VA.K-4.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
GRADES 5 - 8
NA-VA.5-8.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes

See more lessons and resources from Education World on our December Holidays Around the World Web page.

Click to return to this week’s Lesson Planning article, Five Holiday Keepsakes Parents Will Love.

Article by Gary Hopkins
Education World®
Copyright © 2002 Education World