Countdown to First Night Sanity Saver: Flores de Noche Buena Ornament

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Presented by Independent Health

By: Jacalyn Slingerland, Play to Learn Facilitator

Download a PDF version of this lesson here!

Materials:

Paper towel roll 
Red paint
Paint brush
Yellow pompoms
Hole puncher
Pipe cleaner
Scissors
Paper towels
Liquid glue (optional)
Red glitter (optional)

Length:  

40 minutes

Inactive Time:  20 minutes

Activity: 20 minutes 

Academic Subject(s):

This lesson supports the following NYS Curriculum Standards: 

Flores de Noche Buena, also known as poinsettias, are beautiful star shaped flowers native to southern Mexico. The ancient Aztec called them ‘cuetlaxochitl’ and used them as dye and medicine. There is a legend surrounding the origin of these winter blooming flowers: A little girl loved visiting the manger scene in the chapel. But she was sad because she didn’t have a gift for the baby. One day she picked weeds for him, and while visiting the manger scene she laid the flowers around the baby. The weeds turned into beautiful, red, star shaped flowers. Thereafter the flowers were called “Flores de Noche Buena”. Let’s make our own flowers using some basic craft supplies. 

Directions:

Step 1: Cut the paper towel tubes into 5 pieces; each roughly half an inch thick. 

Step 2: Shape into petals by pinching the ends.

Step 3: Paint the petals red and allow the paint to dry. 

Step 4: After drying, glue the petals together so they shape into a flower. 

Step 5: (optional) Add glitter using liquid glue and craft glitter. Allow time to dry. 

Step 6: Glue yellow pompoms to the center. Allow time to dry.

Step 7: Hole punch a petal and add pipe cleaner, hang your ornament where you like. 

Decorate your house for the holidays with the flower you made! If you enjoyed the craft, make a few more so you may have poinsettia themed décor. 

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Polish Heritage Sanity Saver: Red Poppy Flowers

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Created in partnership with the The Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius College.

By Amelia Schrader, Senior Manager of Education and
Julia Bozer, Cultural Program Educator

Download a PDF version of this lesson here!

ACADEMIC SUBJECT(S):

Social Studies, Art

DEVELOPMENT SUBJECT AREAS:

Appreciating Diversity
Fine Motor Skills

HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE TO DO?

15-20 minutes

MATERIALS

• Cardboard egg carton • Scissors
• Buttons or beads • Glue stick
• Red paint or markers • Paint brush
• Pipe cleaners

This lesson is brought to you by the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius College. Explore & More is thrilled to partner with this organization to showcase Polish traditions, heritage and culture through activities, stories and food. Poland is a country located in central Europe. There are many people in Buffalo and WNY that have roots in Poland. Our community celebrates many Polish traditions at Easter, Christmas and throughout the year. We hope you enjoy these Polish activities and think about incorporating some of them in your family’s yearly traditions!

Did you know that the red poppy is the national flower of Poland? These special flowers have medicinal, sentimental and cultural significance across Poland. Red poppies are a reoccurring theme in poems and folk songs. They are also notably a symbol to remember those who passed away during WWI and one of love. The petals are often used to create sought after dyes and oils used around the world. Red poppies also have several qualities used in natural medicine.

Today we are going to make our own red poppies to celebrate Poland!

Directions

Before beginning have an adult cut the egg carton into individual pieces so that each egg slot is separated from each other. Lay out the rest of the materials for the child.

STEP 1 Have the child color or paint the egg carton pieces red, just like the national flower of Poland.

STEP 2 Glue a bead or button to the assembled and painted carton in the center. This button represents the stigma of a flower or the part that holds the pollen.

STEP 3 Connect a pipe cleaner to the opposite of the beaded side and push it through the bottom of the egg carton. You may need a grown up to help you with this step. The pipe cleaner represents the stem of the flower.

STEP 4 Now that the flower has been assembled, you can repeat this process to make a bouquet.

VOCABULARY

STEM: The main body and support of a plant. The stem of a sunflower is really sturdy and supports the plant.

ROOTS: The part of a plant that reaches into the ground helping the plant to gain nutrients. The oak tree in my backyard has really deep roots, that’s how it grew so tall.

STIGMA: Located at the end of the stalk of a plant. This is the area where all the pollen is received.

RED POPPIES: The National Flower of Poland.

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Sanity Savers, STEM Edition: Painting with Magnets

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Presented by National Grid

Written By Dan Walsh
STEM Educator

Supply ideas:

2 magnets, plastic tray, paper, smock, different colors of paint

Length:

10 minutes 

Academic Subjects:

Science

Directions for Magnet Painting   

One of my favorite Explore & More traditions is magnet painting. This simple experiment brings a lot to the table, such as color blending and the amazing power of magnets!


1.    Set up a tray with a sheet of paper. Then put your smock on.
2.    Dab a few different colors of paint on your sheet of paper. 
3.    Have a grownup hold the tray.
4.    Place one magnet on top of the paper (Magnet A) The other magnet will go underneath the tray (Magnet B) 
5.    Using Magnet B, guide Magnet A through the paint and create your own masterpiece!!  
6.    Add new colored paint and predict what new colors will form.

Magnet Painting Vocabulary:

Magnetism– the force of attraction (pulling) or repulsion (pushing) between poles of magnets.
Poles– the ends of a magnet where the strongest magnetic force is felt.

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Sanity Savers, STEM Edition: Stained Glass Windows

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Presented by National Grid

Written By Dan Walsh
STEM Educator

Supplies ideas:

contact paper or clear packing tape, tissue paper, hole punch, scissors, string, construction paper     
Length:
10 minutes 
Academic Subjects:
Science

Directions for Stained Glass Windows:  

Stained glass windows are the perfect blend of all things STEAM. This quick activity looks at geometry and art. Stained glass dates back to as early as 675 AD. The term of stained-glass windows refers to colored glass that is made to be ornate.  
Frank Lloyd Wright was famous for his architectural designs as well as the over 4,000 lead stained glass windows that were installed in over 150 of his buildings. He often referred to these windows as “light screens.” Many of his designed incorporated geometric shapes, which contrasted from the elaborate storybook like designs typically associated with stained glass.



If using contact paper, follow these steps;
1.    Cut a piece of contact paper into a ten by ten-inch square. Fold the piece of contact paper in half. Place a piece of carboard between the two halves.  
2.    Cut small squares of tissue paper out. Then cut thin strips of black construction paper out.
3.    Be extra careful on this step. Peel one side of the contact paper and leave the cardboard divider in between the sheets. We will be working on the sticky side. Place black construction paper strips down first. These will act as your dividers.
4.    Place the multicolored tissue paper squares down in any pattern.
5.     Slide the cardboard divider out. Slowly peel the rest of the contact paper off.
6.    Fold the contact paper over so the sticky side is sealed up.
7.    Decide which side you like more, then using a hole puncher, place a hole at the top of the sheet. Tie a piece of string through the hole.
8.    Find a window in your house with the most sun light. Hang the masterpiece from the window.  

If using packing tape, follow these steps;  
1.    Keeping the tape on the spool, pull eleven inches of tape out. Place an anchor at the one inch mark to keep the tape from folding up.
9.    Using your scissors and construction paper, Cut small squares of tissue paper out. Then cut thin strips of black construction paper out.
2.    Place a thin strip of black construction at the five-inch mark. You will be decorating below the five-inch marker.
3.    Using your tissue paper place, them on the piece of tape. You can use the black construction paper to make lines.
4.    Once you are finished decorating, cut the very top of the tape, then fold the tape over itself. The tape should go all the way to the anchor. Cut off any extra bits.
5.    Decide which side you like more, then using a hole puncher, place a hole at the top of the sheet. Tie a piece of string through the hole.
6.    Find a window in your house with the most sun light. Hang the masterpiece from the window. This craft can also be used as a great bookmark!  

Stain Glass Window Vocabulary:  

Geometry– The kind of mathematics that deals with shapes and figures.   
Angle– Formed when two lines meet at a shared point.  

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Countdown to First Night Sanity Saver: Hanukkah Menorah Craft

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Presented by Independent Health

BY Will Kawalec, Play to Learn Facilitator

Download a PDF version of this lesson here!

This lesson gives your child the opportunity to create a Menorah for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, an item that is instrumental in celebrating the holiday!

Materials:

8 similar sized clear or mostly clear plastic or glass jars/cups/containers

1 larger clear or mostly clear plastic or glass jars/cups/containers

Sand or colored beads or rice

9 paper straws

Yellow construction paper or ribbon

Clear tape

Length: 

Set up: 2 Minutes

Activity 15-20 Minutes 

Academic Subject(s): 

Art, Social Studies

SS 3.4a, 3.4b, 3.5a, 2.6, 2.8, 1.8

VA: CR 1.2. 1,2,3a 

VA: PR 5. 1,2,3a

This lesson supports First to Fourth Grade: 

This lesson supports areas of Elementary Education.

While celebrating this year’s holidays from home, there is a great opportunity to see how other cultures and other nations celebrate the holidays.  With this lesson your child will be able to experience new traditions and cultures.  In this case specifically relating to Hanukkah.  A Menorah is used to celebrate the 8 days of Hanukkah where on each day a ceremony is performed to light another candle.  Menorah’s are put out for everyone to see as it shows an acknowledgement of the Hanukkah miracle, as well as a display of Jewish pride.  

Directions: 

Step 1: Align 8 containers in a straight line with each one touching.  Now place the larger container in the middle of this line (there should be 4 containers on each side of the larger container. 

Step 2: Fill the containers with sand or whatever decorative substance you desire, the containers should be about ¾ of the way full.

Step 3: Cut your paper straws in half you’ll need 9 halves.

Step 4: on the top of these straws tape either paper or ribbon to the top (these should begin to look like lit candles).

Step 5: Place the ‘candles’ in each container, these will be your Menorah lights.

Step 6: Your Menorah is now ready for display!

Step 7: With your new knowledge inform and connect with new people about different holiday traditions.

Vocabulary Words

Hanukkah: A Jewish holiday that lasts eight days, also known as the Festival of Lights.  It has major cultural significance in North America for Jewish people.  

Miracle: An event that is extremely unlikely, that occurs rarely, with often positive consequences.  

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Field trips are back! Please be aware that it will be busier than usual.