Cultures
Learning about other cultures help children to feel more integrated and able to cooperate with others. When children learn about a wide variety of people in the world, it influences the way they grow up and what kind of adult they will become. Understanding is the key in accepting diversity; we fear what we do not understand.
Mexican Flower
In Post Independence times most of the activities and social life in Mexican villages were Church based in its celebrations. Tissue Paper flowers were a good way for peasants to make an extra income. The flowers were used to decorate the churches during times in the year when natural flowers were not blooming. Paper flowers are still used for decorations and sold to tourists visiting the cities.
Paper Flower: Scroll down to the bottom of the post for outline of flowers. Use nine or ten layers of tissue paper. For the 3 outlines, trace the flower pattern on the tissue paper and cut out the layers of tissue paper. Place the groups of tissue paper with the largest pedals on the outside to the smallest on the inside. Poke two holes in the center of the pedal layers. From behind work a pipe cleaner or florist wire up one hole, bend it, and feed it down through the other hole. Pull the pipe cleaner/wire so it is even and then twist the two ends together for a stem. Separate each layers of tissue paper slightly scrunching the peddle forward.
Native American Weaving
Weaving was invented around 6000 BC in West Asia, and is now practiced around the world. At first people wove with there fingers making narrow bands, and later looms were used. Native Americans are known for their Weaving skills both in artistic means and practical skill. They wove blankets, rugs, baskets and clothing from a numerous number of materials.
Weaving Kit: Buy a weaving kit in children crafts such as Cra-Z-Art weaving loom, or make your own out of cardboard.
Cardboard Loom: With a piece of heavy cardboard 6-inch by 6-inch, cut notches evenly on two opposite sides (closer the notches, tighter the weave). Wrap yarn through all of the notches which will create a base for weaving; tie the end to secure. Thick yarn is the easiest to use. With a good amount of yarn, weave alternately over and under every other anchor yarn piece. When you reach the end of a row, go back the opposite way.
Using Fabric Loops: Stretch fabric loops across the loom one direction. Attache fabric Loop to notch (starting at one end), and feed it alternately over and under the anchor strips, and attach working fabric loop on the corresponding notch at the end. Continue until all notches are filled. To finish starting at the end of one row, unhook loop one, place second loop through loop one, and hook loop 2 back on notch; continue until finished.
Mexican Flower
Learning about other cultures help children to feel more integrated and able to cooperate with others. When children learn about a wide variety of people in the world, it influences the way they grow up and what kind of adult they will become. Understanding is the key in accepting diversity; we fear what we do not understand.
Mexican Flower
In Post Independence times most of the activities and social life in Mexican villages were Church based in its celebrations. Tissue Paper flowers were a good way for peasants to make an extra income. The flowers were used to decorate the churches during times in the year when natural flowers were not blooming. Paper flowers are still used for decorations and sold to tourists visiting the cities.
Paper Flower: Scroll down to the bottom of the post for outline of flowers. Use nine or ten layers of tissue paper. For the 3 outlines, trace the flower pattern on the tissue paper and cut out the layers of tissue paper. Place the groups of tissue paper with the largest pedals on the outside to the smallest on the inside. Poke two holes in the center of the pedal layers. From behind work a pipe cleaner or florist wire up one hole, bend it, and feed it down through the other hole. Pull the pipe cleaner/wire so it is even and then twist the two ends together for a stem. Separate each layers of tissue paper slightly scrunching the peddle forward.
Native American Weaving
Weaving was invented around 6000 BC in West Asia, and is now practiced around the world. At first people wove with there fingers making narrow bands, and later looms were used. Native Americans are known for their Weaving skills both in artistic means and practical skill. They wove blankets, rugs, baskets and clothing from a numerous number of materials.
Weaving Kit: Buy a weaving kit in children crafts such as Cra-Z-Art weaving loom, or make your own out of cardboard.
Cardboard Loom: With a piece of heavy cardboard 6-inch by 6-inch, cut notches evenly on two opposite sides (closer the notches, tighter the weave). Wrap yarn through all of the notches which will create a base for weaving; tie the end to secure. Thick yarn is the easiest to use. With a good amount of yarn, weave alternately over and under every other anchor yarn piece. When you reach the end of a row, go back the opposite way.
Using Fabric Loops: Stretch fabric loops across the loom one direction. Attache fabric Loop to notch (starting at one end), and feed it alternately over and under the anchor strips, and attach working fabric loop on the corresponding notch at the end. Continue until all notches are filled. To finish starting at the end of one row, unhook loop one, place second loop through loop one, and hook loop 2 back on notch; continue until finished.
Mexican Flower
