Focus: Plants that grow from seed.

Activity, Barking up the Right Tree

Math

Objectives:

A. The children will explore different professions in studying plants.

B. Students will make a variety of crayon rubbings with natural materials, then arrange them in creative repetitive patterns using positive and negative shapes.

Materials Needed:

• Multicultural Crayons
• Scissors
• Washable Glue Stick

• Manila paper
• ruler

Describe the Activity:

1. Measure and cut at least eight 6-inch (15 cm) squares of Manila paper. Peel the paper wrappers from Multicultural Crayons.

2. Find several different textures of tree bark. Make crayon rubbings with various colors. Try different pressures and combinations of colors.

3. Select at least six of the squares. Arrange them in an original repetitive pattern. Cut shapes from the other two squares to make more intricate patterns. Use positive and negative shapes (shapes remaining when a positive shape is cut out and removed). Experiment to find the design that is most interesting.

4. Glue finished designs to a larger piece of paper for display, or create a class mural.

Questions:

1. Tell me about the pattern your making.

2. What dose your picture reminds you of?