Baobab Stencil Painting

The baobab tree, which is indigenous to Madagascar and central Africa, is known as the "Tree of life" or the "Mother tree" to natives. It is known as both because of the tree's plentiful and nourishing qualities. The baobab’s leaves, fruit and seeds are all edible and can be used to create a variety of foods. The trees roots are so large because they absorb and store water. The trunks are hallow and can store goods or be used to shelter livestock. 

We did this project for mothers day since the tree's qualities reflect many mothers giving qualities. 

For this project we used:

-A tree stencil 

-Canvas

-Paintbrush

-Paint  

Here (Below) is a picture of the stencil we cut out.

Students chose to use either outlines of the tree after cutting it out. They then placed it on the canvas and painted over it. Some chose solid colors and some created an atmosphere.

Huzzah for baobab trees!

-Mme. Skoog

Market Day Mural

For this activity you can start by reading the book La Surprise de Handa (Handa's surprise), which is also available on youtube.

Through this book you can explain the significance and importance of carrying objects and produce in a basket on your head. You can find this practice being used in many African francophone countries.
Once you have read and explained you can begin creating this market day mural that you can purchase on this website http://projecthopeart.org/2012/03/02/haiti-market-day-mural/

The mural is divided up into many different sections. Depending which size you choose to print off every child in your class will be able to decorate a part of the mural

Here some some examples of sections students drew in my classroom

And here is the finished product!

I liked this project because the students were able to engage in teamwork.

I hope you can try this out!

-Mme. Skoog

Musical Instruments

I explained to the kids how music is very important in many different cultures. In many francophone countries such as Togo, Senegal and Haiti you can find that music accompanies storytelling, helps celebrate various occasions, and brings people together. Our all school concert is coming up so I thought it would be appropriate to use these ideals and create instruments to help us celebrate! I was inspired from the sound of the senegalese cas-cas for our art project. I found a different way to create the instrument but make a similar sound. For this project you are going to need: Paint, a stapler, 2 paper plates, and beads (or beans)

Step 1:Paint a design on the bottom of each paper plate

Step 2: On the inside of the paper plate add as many beads as you would like. 

Step 3: Next, place the other paper plate on top of the one that has beads in it. And then begin to staple the two plates together so that the beads do not fall out

Once you have finished stapling take a step back, admire your work and start making music!

-Mme. Skoog

Senegalese Weaving

This art project is influenced from weavers in Senegal.  I first introduced the concept of weaving to my students with an old folktale from senegal and explained how weaving got its significance. A boy named Juntel secretly watched on as a Jinn, a divine spirit, wove with a loom. After many days of watching his technique Juntel took the loom back to his home. There he introduced it to his village. A weaver from then on was seen as a person who could connect with spirits. Weavers can be seen nowadays perfecting and selling their craft at markets. 

What you'll need for this project: Cardboard, Scissors, and yarn

Step 1: Make notches in the cardboard both at the top and bottom

Step 2: Attach yarn to each end of the notches 

Step 3: Begin to weave remaining yarn through the attached yarn. As seen from this image  

             

Step 4: Continue rotating under and over with every string until there is no more room. 

And voilà you have finished!

-Mme.Skoog

Bienvenue

Welcome to my blog! The purpose of this blog is to share lessons and ideas about how elementary students can create art influenced by francophone cultures. I hope you enjoy!

-Mme.Skoog