Mini Tree House

 

For this art project, you don't need to look beyond your own backyard, for the most part. Just gather up an interestingly-shaped twig.

 

Use plaster of paris and set each student's twig in a cup like a tree.

 

The next day, ask each student to draw the twig in the cup, and then continue to draw on that and design a tree house. They may want to involve pulleys, swimming pools, fireplaces, landscaping . . . whatever strikes their fancy.

 

Then they should scrounge around the house to bring in supplies that they can use to build the miniature tree house like the one they designed.

 

Examples: corrugated cardboard, toothpicks, popsicle sticks, chicken wire, Styrofoam, fabric, ribbon, stationery, buttons, sugar cubes. . . .

 

You might want to have the children write short stories about their tree houses and invent characters who would live in them and have adventures.

By Susan Darst Williams • www.GoBigEd.com • After School Treats 006 • © 2006