Sun Catcher Peacock

A few summers ago while on holidays we stayed in a village that had several peacocks.  During this time, they were moulting.  The kids would get up early with Galen and go for a walk, looking for peacock feathers.  When they did find one, it was thrilling for them (to say the least!) and we wanted to re-create some of the beauty of the peacocks that we saw.  There are two variations of this activity depending on they type of materials you feel comfortable in using.

Materials

Method A:

• An old iron (used by an adult)
• An old grater (used by an adult or with direct supervision depending on the age(s) of the child(ren)
• Wax crayons (you may find that certain well known brands work better than others)
• Wax paper
• Permanent marker
• Scissors
• Embellishment items such as craft jewels
• Smock, apron or old clothes
• 2 old tea towels
• craft foam
• Print out of the peacock body or materials to make your own peacock_body

Method B:

• Contact paper (this is clear adhesive paper often used to line cupboards or cover books)
• Tissue paper
• Glitter, transparent confetti
• Scissors
• Permanent marker
• Print out of the peacock body or materials to make your own

Follow-Up Writing Activity Template  Peacock-follow-up

Directions

There are 2 suggested methods to make your sun catcher- pick the one that works best for best for you.  OR try both!

Method A:

• This is an activity that needs to be done with an adult as it requires the use of an old iron and an old grater which may be sharp.

• Take two large pieces of wax paper.  Lay them flat on a large workspace such as table.

• Grate various colours of wax crayon and arrange them on the wax paper, leaving a perimeter of  about 5 cm (approximately 2 inches) around the edge, without shavings.  Put the same size of wax paper on top (creating a sandwich with the shavings in the middle).  Be careful not to get the shavings on carpeted surfaces as they may be difficult to get out.

• Have an adult set the iron on low.  It is recommended that you use an old tea towel to cover your ironing board if any of the crayon leaks out of the edges of your wax paper “sandwich”.  Iron your sandwich, covered with another tea towel carefully, melting the crayons.  Try not to go too close to the edge to prevent spillage.

• Unplug your iron, put it in a safe place to cool and let your wax paper cool.

• Draw, using a permanent marker the shape of your tail and cut it out, using a sharp pair of scissors (this may require adult assistance).  You can embellish your tail with glitter glue, permanent marker or jewels etc.

• Make or print out the provided body for the peacock.  Layer foam or create a donut out of paper to attach between the tail and the body (so that the body is forward of the tail)  Display in a window or against a light coloured background.

• Print the follow-up written response:  Male peacocks have a magnificent tail to attract other peacocks. What makes you special or unique?

Method B:

• This is an alternative if you would prefer not to use an iron.

• Purchase clear contact paper (or cupboard liner).  Lay it sticky side up and cover with various pieces of tissue paper and if you would like transparent, plastic confetti or glitter.

• Cut another piece of contact paper the same  size and create a sandwich with the tissue paper (this may require adult assistance, particularly depending on the desired size, as it can be tricky).  Be sure to smooth out any air bubbles to the edges.

• Draw the outline of your peacock tail with permanent marker and cut out.  You can embellish your tail with glitter glue, permanent marker or jewels etc.

• Make or print out the provided body for the peacock.  Layer foam or create a donut out of paper to attach between the tail and the body.  Display in a window or against a light coloured background.

• Print the follow-up written response:  Male peacocks have a magnificent tail to attract other peacocks. What makes you special or unique?

Purpose

• Working with different mediums to create various effects.
• Developing motor skills (cutting, pasting etc).
• Linking written expression to one’s creations.

Safety Notes

• An iron should be used by an adult
• A grater should be used by an adult or with direct supervision depending on the age and ability of the children you are working with