Teach fifth graders about the history of stained glass by assigning them a sildeshow where they choose their favorite examples of stained glass windows throughout history. Help students do an online search to find images of stained glass from history. The progression of stained glass is broken into the periods of the Gothic era, the Renaissance, the Gothic Revival, the American version with Tiffany and La Farge, as well as contemporary stained glass. Students can find stained glass examples that they feel are particularly striking and research the history of the image. Their slideshow should contain information about the origin of the stained glass, the history of the location where the stained glass is or was, the artist and any interesting facts about the stained glass piece. This project also helps fifth graders expand on their knowledge of putting together elementary oral and visual presentations.
While you cannot transform your classroom into a glass-making studio, you can show fifth graders how to make their own stained glass with the help of some simple materials. Gather black construction paper, small plastic containers, crayons, crayon sharpeners, wax paper, scissors, glue and an iron. An adult will have to handle the iron for the entirety of the project. Instruct students to begin shaving crayons in whatever colors they choose. The shavings should go into the plastic container. Next, help the kids use the black construction paper to cut out "window frames" complete with frame designs inside the window that are commonly seen in stained glass. Each student will need two identical frames. Glue the wax paper to the inside of each frame piece. Shake the crayon shavings onto one of the pieces of wax paper and then glue the other frame piece on top of it. Once the glue has dried, an adult can run an iron on a low setting over each window. It is important to note that a piece of wax paper should be put over each window to protect it from having direct contact with the iron. Once the shavings have melted, students can see their own crayon stained glass windows. Hang them on classroom windows for all to see.
Fifth graders can learn about the various types of geometric shapes by fitting them together in a stained glass window project. Give students black and multicolored construction paper. Instruct them to cut out window frames as well as the geometric shapes of a triangle, circle, square, rectangle, pentagon and octagon. The students can cut out as many of each shape as they want with the understanding that they need to make the colored shapes fit together as a stained glass window.
With tracing paper and watercolors, fifth graders can infuse their art abilities into creating beautiful stained glass windows. In a fashion similar to religious depictions, have students sketch something they would like to capture on a stained glass window. For example, kids could paint their favorite pet, nature scene or solar system. Once the sketch is on the tracing paper, kids can then paint the scenes in with watercolors. Black construction paper can be cut out as a frame once the pictures are dry. Hang them on classroom windows to showcase these mock stained glass windows.