The Haynes Connection

The First Grade Craft Center will support the Social Studies curriculum and its focus on Ghana and Japan.

Adinkrah Cloth - March 2009

In this craft, the first graders will decorate a traditional mourning cloth. The people of Ghana commemorate the death of a loved one by making and wearing this cloth around their shoulders. Symbols are stamped on the cloth to signify particular beliefs and messages. In early times, a cloth was stamped with a single design that expressed the king's view of a particular subject.

The first graders will use stamps and stamp pads with a variety of symbols from Ghana to decorate a muslin Adinkrah cloth. Assistance from parents and guardians will be requested by early February.

Gyotaku (Japanese Fish Prints)

Gyotaku is the Japanese art of painting a fish and rubbing paper on it to create a picture. The first graders will use speedball paint and rollers to paint actual whole fish, which they will then cover with rice paper to make the fish print. These prints will be used as decorations at Japan Day, the first grade festival, on June 3rd.
Assistance from parents and guardians will be requested by early February.

The second grade Craft Center will support the Social Studies curriculum that explores Native American and Mexican cultures.

Dream Catchers - November 18, 2008

In the first craft, the 2nd graders will create Native American Dream Catchers. Dream Catchers were a significant part of Native American spiritual life and have been in existence for many generations. To the Native Americans, dreams were messages sent by spirits. The purpose of a Dream Catcher was to catch and hold bad dreams, while letting the good dreams pass through to glide down the feathers to the sleeping person below. They were hung above the beds, especially of infants, so that he first light of morning would fall on the Dream Catchers and destroy the bad dreams.

The Dream Catchers that the 2nd Graders create will be made of leather, beads, feathers, string, and a metal ring wrapped in floral tape (to replicate a tree branch).

This is a complex craft, as it requires weaving. We very much appreciate the parents and guardians who have volunteered to help the students create unique Dream Catchers.

For more information on this craft, visit:

Legend of the dream catcher : http://www.dream-catchers.org

Instructions : http://www.teachersfirst.com/summer/dreamcatcher.htm

Pictures and Instructions : http://e-scoutcraft.com/string/dream_catcher.html

Pinatas - Spring

The second craft will relate to the study of Mexico, its geography and culture. In the Spring, we will work with the 2nd graders to create piñatas, which will be used as part of Mexico Day on May 27.

The pinata is one of the many traditions typical of Mexico. It originated in Spain and was brought to Mexico in the 16th Century. Spanish missionaries used pinatas as a way to attract Christian converts. Originally, a pinata was a clay pot filled with sweets, fruit and confetti and was decorated with ribbons and colored paper. Today, pinatas come in many shapes and sizes and are often associated with Christmas, birthdays and fiestas. The game surrounding it entails throwing a rope over a branch or beam and tying it to the pinata. Children wearing blindfolds take turns trying to break it with a stick to release the treats.

The2nd graders will enjoy a two-phased process during which they will make their own piñatas, using a basic paper mache technique and a lot of imagination.

Assistance from parents and guardians will be requested for one or both piñata-making sessions. These opportunities to help will be advertised in April.

For more information on this craft, visit : http://www.inside-mexico.com/pinata.htm

The third grade Craft Center will explore various elements of the Social Studies curriculum.

Topographical Map of Massachusetts - Spring 2009

The 3rd graders will create a topographical map of the state of Massachusetts, to include geographical features and elevations. The project will require students to create a model of the state and its elevations, using clay and paint. This craft will occur in two phases. We will ask parents and guardians to volunteer to assist in one or both phases of this project.

Phase I :The 3rd graders will mold the clay onto a board.

Phase II: They will paint the details of Massachusetts' geography and terrain on the clay.

Paper Quilling- Spring 2009

Paper quilling is an art form in which strips of paper are rolled and used for decoration. In colonial times, quilling was done mainly by women.
This craft will occur close to the date of the Colonial Festival, which will be held on March 11, 2009. Opportunities for parents and guardians to help with the crafts will be advertised in February.

Picture courtesy of Whimsiquills

Silhouettes - Spring 2009

The silhouettes are reminiscent of photography in colonial days. The children will create their own personal silhouettes, which will serve as decorations at the Colonial Festival.

This craft will occur close to the date of the Colonial Festival, which will be held on March 11, 2009. Opportunities for parents and guardians to help with the crafts will be advertised in February.

The fourth grade Craft Center is new this school year. We will focus on enrichment of the Social Studies curriculum. The 4th Grade's study of Canada as part of North America and the study of Ancient China will be the areas we explore in this craft center.

Chinese Slat Book

Slat books, or jian ce, were the first kind of book made in China. They were made of strips of wood or bamboo that were held together by cord. This is where the Chinese custom of writing from top to bottom began. Parents are invited to follow this link to find a complete project description and photo.