The final country in our study is Russia. We learned that Russia is so big that it has 11 time zones! The architecture is quite unique.
Using step-by-step instructions, the students drew their own versions of Russian architecture.
We also learned about Faberge eggs--intriquitely decorated eggs made with the finest materials that often held small treasures.
Then, we learned about the famous Russian nesting dolls or Babushka dolls. Using a guided drawing video, the students learned how to draw their own Russian nesting dolls. They colored them, cut them out, and attached them to a toilet paper roll so they could stand up.
We learned about two different Russian artists:
Wassily Kandinsky using circles and Kazimir Malevich using rectangles.
We learned to play a game that the Vikings played. It goes by a couple different names such as Nine Men's Morris or Mills. But we just called it Mills.
Then students used clay to create game pieces. Using markers, they colored half their clay red and the other half blue.
Then, they rolled them into 18 balls, nine red and nine blue, and flattened them.
Each student also created a little pouch in which to hold the game.
Iceland is known for wool, so, the students created sheep by painting clothespins and a cardboard sheep body black.
After they dried, they wrapped the sheep bodies with yarn until they were fluffy like sheep's wool.
Amazingly, the day Mr. Brisco brought his baby lamb to school, was the same time we were learning about Iceland!
Another major attraction of Iceland is the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights. Using shaving cream and paint on black paper, students created the Northern Lights.
Iceland is surrounded by water, therefore, there is an abundance of fish! The students drew their own fish and decorated them using markers. They cut them out and carefully rubbed the foil fish on graters to create bumpy scales.
The students painted water for their fish.
I don't have a picture, but for snacktime, we had rye bread and cheese. One of the most interesting things we learned about Iceland is that they make something called volcano bread. Dough is buried in a pot underground where it actually bakes from the natural heat generated by Iceland's volcanic hot springs.Watch the video below to see how the bread is made!
Our Iceland experts!
Mexico
We learned that much of Mexico is hot and dry. Therefore, cactus plants commonly grow there. The students created their own cactus plants using green play dough and stuck in toothpicks for the spines.
We made maracas with spoons and dried noodles to accompany our singing of a fun Spanish song that we learned.
Each student painted a colorful row on our beautiful Mexican paper "rug" and then they tied string together to create the tassels on the ends.
We learned about the Spanish artist, Diego Rivera, and took inspiration from one of his paintings to create a vase of sunflowers using a guided drawing video starring our very own Mr. Burgy!
We love how unique each one turned out!
Students learned about some of the different kinds of animals in Mexico and created unique paper art.
Snack was chips and salsa and sunflower seeds. This was definitely a class favorite!
Students cut streamers to create a piñata, which we learned are used at most Mexican holidays!
One of the most memorable experiences, though, for the kids was certainly hitting the piñata! They had a blast!
