Shop local dollar stores, toy stores, party stores, or discount stores that sell birthday party favors, small toys, and the like. Collect a variety of small seasonal toys -- such as Santas, snowmen, and sleighs as centerpieces for students’ snowglobes. If appropriate for your class, you might also find party favors in the shape of dreidels and other multicultural representations of the holidays.
small jars with lids
glitter
glue gun or waterproof glue
water
Lesson Plan
Every tourist gift shop has them -- shake the "snowglobe” and watch the flurry of snow cascade over the local landmark or seasonal scene! In this lesson, students create their own holiday or winter snowglobes to give as gifts.
In the weeks leading up to this activity, set aside a place in the classroom where students can deposit clear, clean jars and lids from baby food, salsa, and other products. When project day arrives, distribute one jar to each student.
Students remove the lid from the jar and flip it over so the inside of the lid is facing up. They choose a plastic toy -- perhaps a Santa, a dreidel, or a snowman -- as the centerpiece of their snowglobe display and use a glue gun or silicon glue to attach the toy to the inside of the lid. They might also add a plastic tree or other small toys to complement and complete the setting. Set aside the lids to dry.
When the glue is dry, add cold water to the jar. (Fill the jar about 95 percent full.) Sprinkle glitter into the water and seal the jar. Let the glue dry overnight before turning the snowglobe scene upright or test-shaking it.
The next day, if everything holds securely in place when students shake their snowglobes, use the glue gun to seal the lid to the jar, so no water will leak out during future shakings.
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 GRADES 9 - 12 NA-VA.9-12.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes NA-VA.9-12.3 Choosing and Evaluating A Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas
