Sunday 19 July 2015

Stain Glass Window - Highway Farm Style!


Stain Glass Window with Tissue Paper & PVA
The finished 'stain glass' window.

Whilst I was over visiting Highway Farm, I was lucky to see this great activity unfold and to see just how simple and enjoyable it was for all those involved. 
I had seen this done before when we had an artist in working with the children and she had pre-drawn a butterfly shape for the children to fill in but this was a much easier way to do it.

Martin got a black bin bag (any plastic will do) and taped it to a tuff spot, then he gathered some tissue paper, pipe cleaners, tiny beads, brushes and PVA glue. He covered the surface of the tuff spot with PVA and began to show the children how to place the tissue paper to cover the whole surface - they then brushed more glue over the top. He and Maria cut up the pipe cleaners into small pieces and encouraged the children to place these all over the surface too. Then they were sent off to gather leaves, flowers, petals etc. - in fact anything they could find - one child brought some 'treasure' - a glass pebble.
Soon the whole surface was covered with no gaps at all and then Martin added a final layer of PVA. 

What impressed me most about this activity was how all the children were so engaged, some drifted in and out of it during the hour or so but many stayed with it the whole time.

They were also able to make bracelets with beads and pipe cleaners as they sat around waiting for a turn with a the brushes.
I can't wait to try this with my new class next term.

1 comment:

  1. This is one of those things adults and children get equal enjoyment from. I remember as a child myself, making bracelets in my church. It's good for children to be creative, and to learn how to work as a team. It's also one of those things that, as you wrote, engages youngsters, whose concentration levels can be quite low.

    Doug Lowe @ M & M Glass

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