The Humble Traveler

Little figure from the sky,
How I wonder where you'll fly.
Imagine all the sights you've seen.
When in bed, what do you dream?

If I could see light through your eyes,
My life would fill with great surprise.
So, continue on your journey's way.
Per chance we'll meet again someday.
- AJ Herrmann

How to make a recycled Cloud 9

Recycled Cloud for a Scrapbook or Bulletin Board

As promised, here is another recycled art idea. Many of you have asked how trash was used in the book to create art. Watch this video to see how you can make a cloud from ordinary household materials. This would look great on a classroom bulletin board or in a scrapbook. All you need is a snack bag, a cereal bag, scissors, tape, and imagination!

How to Make a Raindrop

When finding materials for this art project, recycled art materials are preferred.

The Colors of Our Rainbow Lesson Plan

The Colors of our Rainbow Lesson Plan

Age level: Birth through Kindergarten.

Goal: Help children build self-esteem by recognizing the traits that make them special.
Materials: Applesauce lids, glitter glue, construction paper, crayons, tape, scissors, display frame or butcher paper, glass container, water.

Experiment: Fill a glass ¾ full of water. Take the glass to a window that is in full sun. Manipulate the glass until a rainbow appears in the floor. Have the children take turns looking up close at the rainbow and glass. Talk about how the water in the cup is special because when it reflects light from the sun, it makes a rainbow. Explain that just like the water in the cup, each child is special and can make something beautiful.

Book Supplement: Read the story Drip aloud to the children during circle time. Reflect on how each of the snowflakes is special and unique. Ask the children to take turns telling the group what they like about themselves. Have them share one thing that they love about the person sitting to the right.

Art: If the children are old enough, have them trace a circle as shown in the video on the blog. Any circle shape can make a rainbow when a point is drawn at the top and connected to the sides of the circle. Have them cut the shapes out and decorate with crayons and any art supplies you have on hand. If the children are not old enough to trace and yield scissors, supply the raindrop shapes precut. On a large piece of butcher paper, draw the outline of a rainbow. Let the children fill in the colors as a group. At the top, write the words: The Colors of our Rainbow. Have the children practice sounding out the words. Explain to the children that with the unique art from each child, a beautiful piece of art is created. Individually, all of the children and the raindrops are unique. Together, a rainbow forms. A large frame can be placed around the collage to make it stand out as a piece of artwork.

Recycling theme: Collect applesauce lids and other raindrop-shaped trash. Teach the children the value of recycling by letting them paint the plain metal side with glitter glue and buttons for eyes. Let the raindrops dry. Use these raindrops in the rewards system below.

Raindrop Rewards: Make a “bucket” by folding construction paper in half and stapling down the side. Make one for each child with their name on it. Hang together on the wall. This is helpful for reinforcing desired behavior as well as teaching the children to spell and recognize their names. For instances of kindness or positive behavior, verbally recognize the moment and place a raindrop in the bucket for that child. Encourage children to recognize their peers in the same manner. Agree on a goal for a reward. For example, when a child makes a rainbow (6 drops in the bucket of different colors), then a prize can be picked out from a prize box to take home.

Snack Idea: Cut out pieces of toast into the shape of a raindrop. Supply cream cheese in different flavors or colors for the children to top on the toast. Fruit may also be cut in the shape as raindrops, such as strawberries or watermelons.

Drip takes the world by storm!

AJ Herrmann
authorajherrmann@gmail.com
7/1/2008

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the wonderful world of Drip, the lovable and adventurous rain drop! From Cloud Nine, he falls to Earth and takes on many forms in his journeys around the globe. This fictional story, filled with scientific exploration, interesting geography, and lots of imagination will inspire school age readers to learn about the world around them.

Did you know that water is neither created nor destroyed? For millions of years, the same water has been recycled over and over again around the planet. Just think of the places this water has been. What story would the glass of water on your bedside table have to tell? What distant shores have been graced by the water from your backyard sprinklers? The possibilities are endless!

Illustrations in this book have taken the concept of “going green” to an entirely new level. Between these covers, you will find art that has been saved from the doom of the trash bin. Original images have been constructed from items ordinarily thrown into the garbage. From baby food lids to candy wrappers, these colorful visuals prove that being environmentally responsible can be part of everyday life. Look around you. What can you do with the trash you create?

Keep an eye out for this charismatic character in the near future. He could pop up anywhere! Author AJ Herrmann wows fans in her first-ever published children’s book. The chronicles of Drip sweeps readers to a world that is dear to her heart. Originally from the Bay Area in Northern California, she now writes from Phoenix, Arizona. For information on how to order other books from this author, visit the online Xlibris bookstore at http://www.xlibris.com/. Thank you for dropping in.