#  >> K-12 >> Middle School

Craft Ideas for Sixth Grade Social Studies

Add craft projects to your sixth-grade social studies curriculum to make the subject more "real" to your students. Instead of just reading facts about ancient civilizations and other cultures, they can experience mythology, the art of paper folding, Renaissance art and writing with a quill pen. Crafts relevant to the time and location being studied will increase students' comprehension and interest in the subject matter, involving more of their senses in the learning process.
  1. Ancient Greek and Roman Mythology Puppet Show

    • Ancient Greek and Roman mythology still play a part in modern entertainment and literature. Divide the class into groups and let each group pick a myth to turn into a puppet show. Students should make puppets that resemble the characters in the myth using socks, craft sticks, paper mache or other materials. Encourage them to make some props to set the scene. Tell students to write a script, practice and present their "play" to the rest of the class.

    Origami

    • Paper folding started in China, but became popular when it spread to Japan. For this craft project, you need a square piece of origami paper per student. With the colored side facing down, fold the paper in half diagonally to make a triangle. Fold the triangle in half from the center of the base to the tip, and open it back up. Point the tip of the triangle toward you. Make two ears by folding the ends of the triangle's base forward over the sides of the face.

    Renaissance Silverpoint Drawings

    • For this project, you need a 4-inch by 4-inch piece of art board, white gouache, paintbrush, an empty mechanical pencil, 3 inches of pure silver or sterling silver wire that will fit into the pencil and a metal file per student. Paint three coats of gouache on the front of the art board, letting it dry between each coat. File one end of the wire to a point, and round the other end. Put the wire into the mechanical pencil. Draw your design without cutting into the art board. Change ends as needed. Small bits of metal left on the art board will tarnish over time.

    Quill Pen

    • To write like the signers of the Declaration of Independence, each student needs a 12-inch wing feather with a thick shaft, an art knife, tweezers, fine tip marker, cutting board and washable bottled ink. Students can trim 3 inches of feather off the bottom for a better grip, if desired. Make a mark where you want the writing tip to be. Students should cut off the end of the quill at a slant less than 45 degrees and clean out any material in the shaft using tweezers. Dip the quill in ink to write.

Learnify Hub © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved