Lesson 2 How to Make a Tunnel Book: Elementary Homeschool

Ideas for your next Homeschool ART Lesson: Summer Tunnel Book from Jake's Journey in Art

Working from crayons to Picasso. The art of the tunnel book. Learn how to make a tunnel book, it isn't as easy as it looks!

So, if you are following the story, you may remember we had a bad experience with an elementary art teacher. Might I just add- this occured at a 4 Star school.  I'm pretty sure she has tenure. Oddly, outside of the classroom (at least with adults) she was very personable. If you haven't read it click here for Lesson One - Art Expression.

The infamous Tunnel Art Book. Oh my!  Even with my art and architecture background, I had difficulty following the instructions for this one. We watched a video, we looked at samples, and still it just wasn't clicking for me.  Perhaps, I over complicated it.

Well, my struggling Art-hater truly hated this one. If I couldn't explain it- why should he bother trying, right?  So, we sat it aside for a day, and then a week, and then a little bit longer. I tried to make my own by cutting out a frame and gluing the sides together, but it was so much trouble. I refused to make another one, so we used it as the tunnel for Jake's book.

Cut and pasted the important pieces so we can keep it in a scrapbook.

Turns out, I had NO IDEA what I was doing, but Jake drew some nice trees for the background even though he complained the entire time.  When he finished, he complained some more, "Mine isn't as good as yours.  Amanda's trees look better than mine. I cannot do this; I hate art!"

So... apparently somewhere along the way, I missed am important step.  The next day, the little one and I tried one last time. The sides are sheets of paper folded in half, and at the half way mark we glued (and taped) the frames for the tunnel effect.  I scribbled some pictures, and she drew some beautiful creatures and a background, and we attached some to each interior frame. These did not stand on their own; and they are extremely flimsy, or our construction paper is just way too thin. 



Anyway, we tried our best, and that is what really counts- right?  Hopefully, our failures will help you have a successful Tunnel Art Book.  In two years, when the little one gets the same lesson; we'll refer back to this post and try with thicker paper.  I'm thinking CARDBOARD sides.

The Little's background and other fun items.

Here is a link to an entire site about tunnel books.  Hope this helps spark your creativity!

And... here is their closest example to the way our assignment was described.

Too cool ~ It is a construction site!  Photo from Popular Kinetics Press



Recommended:

Lesson Three Still Life

Lesson Four Watercolor and Paper Crafts

Green Light at the End of the Tunnel: Learning the Art of Living Well Without Causing Harm to Our Planet or Ourselves*


Bridges and Tunnels: Investigate Feats of Engineering with 25 Projects (Build It Yourself)

ART: Elementary Homeschool Projects from our online lessons: Lesson One

Homeschool Sample Artwork for Homeschool Art from Connections Academy Online Homeschool

(How a Bricks and Mortar teacher ruined the love of ART)

We've been contemplating Homeschooling for a long time. We needed to find a house in the country with a barn, so we knew we'd be moving, but had no idea where. It seemed the perfect time to bite the bullet. 

I had dreamed of being an ART teacher but deplored my first college art professor and switched to THEATRICAL DESIGN and later to ARCHITECTURE. Ha-ha-ha. I have a diploma. I worked in various design capacities, but always preferred working with children. I am laughing, because, after having my own children, that is no longer my favorite thing. Now, I like to write (more about that later).

But, oh wow! Homeschooling gave me a chance to fulfill my first academic dream and become a real life art teacher! I could not wait to get started. When you cannot wait for something; well, you probably should. It never, ever turns out like you envision.

Things are finally starting to swing in my favor, so I thought I would start sharing our weekly projects here. I want to give all moms of budding artists hope and patience by sharing our grief.  We've learned so many great lessons along the way: How to clean up, How art can teach math, Patience is a virtue, Practice makes perfect, How to spell new words, How to make Mommy say bad words... you get it- you've lived it.  

Maybe you love math or music or language arts and it turns out to be your child's least favorite or worst subject. Time to put on your grown-up pants and grin and bear it with me.

Here is Jake's work from Connection's Academy Art LESSON ONE:  Draw a picture of yourself showing how you feel about school, specifically ART, use shapes and patterns within your drawing.



ANGRY.

Jake: "I hate art."
Mommy: "It is my favorite subject! I am not so great, but I try my best."
Jake: "I'm no good at it, and I don't want to do it."
Mommy: "Let's listen to music while we draw."
Jake: "Let's don't, and say we did."
Mommy: "Jake, here is a mirror draw your face."
Jake: "No."
Mommy: "Just Do IT!"
Jake: "This is not fun."
Mommy: "This is not fun."
Mommy: "Maybe this is why Mom's take up drinking wine."


Later, Jake informed me he had never used anything but crayons in his art class at school. They always had to color the ENTIRE page with neat, crayon coloring from corner to corner. WHAT? I've got the pictures and the grades to prove why he doesn't like art. 

She was a hardcore grader for an elementary teacher who made the kids use crayons as a medium! In fact, she killed his straight A+'s in first grade with a B- and a comment to try and be neater. He was devastated. I told him, "Ya gotta do what ya gotta do." He did it from that point on. 

Man, I'd hate art too if that were my teacher's philosophy. Why do you need an art teacher for coloring with crayons. Seems like a lot of busy work to me.


Recommended Reading:

Lesson Two
Lesson Three
Lesson Four

The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas: 500+ Fun and Creative Learning Activities for Kids Ages 3-12 (Prima Home Learning Library)*

Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters (Bright Ideas for Learning (TM))*

Enjoy a Real Radio Show Podcast featuring a Bob Ross Remix

Here's something I think busy Moms and Dads will enjoy. Sit back and relax as the soothing voice of Dean Abbott  rejuvenates the spirit with his podcast reminiscent of an old-fashioned radio show, Your Neighborhood Almanac.

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A Day In Kokomo at the Glass Factory

Things to do In Indiana: Kokomo,  A One Tank Trip

We visited the Indiana Glass Factory in Kokomo, Indiana. If you're looking for things to do in Indiana, this is a great idea for a field trip or a one tank trip in Indiana. Homeschoolers will enjoy learning a new skill for a possible future trade or art project.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Glass Factory.

Kokomo Opalescent Glass Main Office.

Beehive where they melt the glass.

Table where they roll glass to make panes.

Area where they roll and blow glass.

Sample of their panes of glass.

We got a guided tour of the glass factory. The kids saw it featured on a local news channel over Christmas break and really wanted to go. We all learned many things and we were all surprised to find out where the glass has been placed. One place is the Cinderella Castle at Disney. Apparently, the Kokomo Glass Factory produced all of the glass in the castle. 

Stained Glass at Cinderella's Castle in Disney World. 

The Kokomo Glass Factory has a beautiful shop where you can purchase hand blown hand blown glass items. Visit KOG.COM to see the shop (they ship) and if you live in the Indiana area, stop by and take  the tour. The Indiana Glass Factory makes a great family outing or field trip idea. 

Currently it runs Tues-Fri at 10 am and lasts about an hour. They even offer a class to make glass beads and accents. They also sell glass panes of different sizes and thicknesses if you need some for your home or craft projects.

This is truly a hidden jewel in Indiana.  We never knew about the glass factory until we saw it on the news. The kids loved the tour (which was a surprise) and apparently it was the highlight of everything we had planned over break. 


~ Angie


Recommended:

Things to do in Indiana

Books about Hand Blown Glass

More Posts by Angie

Thing to do in Kokomo

Get a Glass Craft for Kids

How to Make Knives: Handmade Knife Art by Roger Shrum

Hand Carved Knife designs by Roger Shrum.

You don't have to be a painter to be an amazing artist. Roger Shrum (a pretty good painter), is carving a hobby making handmade knives. These knives are art. Want to learn more about how to make knives? Check out the knife below. Enjoy!

Unfortunately, Mr. Shrum has delted his blog and other social media, but you can still see his beautiful works of art on our Pinterest Board. He also makes pewter turtles and other amazing creatures.

Homemade Art Knife by Shrum Knives.

Handcrafted Art Knives

Check out this beautiful, handmade knife art. Want to learn how to make knives? 

Visit my cousin, the artisan on our Pinterest Board: Shrum Knives. 


Roger is a local folk artist who works full-time and crafts and carves in his free time. See his beautiful pewter turtles on Pinterest.

ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Vlog Tutorial Easy Preschool Torn Paper OWL Craft

Easy Fall Craft Activity for Kids Torn Paper Owl

We made a Vlog Tutorial with our Messy Play Class. This Torn Paper Owl Craft is an easy activity for preschoolers. The kids had a blast tearing their construction paper.  Enjoy!

Tearing the paper gives the activity a sensory play element. The glue is sticky and messy too. Make note if your child is especially upset with the sticky glue on their hands, they may have sensory issues.

Recommended: Little Owl's Night Early Childhood Development*

Edible Art PRETZEL Heart Recipe Valentine Craft Activity for Kids

Pretzel Heart Recipe

Almost as good as the ones you get from a carnival, this Edible Art, Pretzel Heart Recipe is the perfect Valentine Craft Activity for family fun. Enjoy!

Want to make pretzels at home? This recipe is fun to do as a family. And, it's yummy too- better than a breadstick! Make an edible heart for a fun, Valentine activity.

Twist Pretzel into a heart for Valentine's Day.

Have a HEART!

You will need:
1 pkg. dry yeast, 1 tbs. sugar, 1 1/2 cup warm water, 4 cups flour, 1 tsp. salt or sea salt, 1 egg beaten, Red food coloring,

Mix water and yeast together in large bowl until yeast dissolves. Add Salt, Sugar, Flour, and food coloring. Mix and Knead the dough until smooth- but don't over do it. The more you work the dough the less fluff the finished product will have. Flour your hands to work the dough; it is sticky!

Knead in red food coloring.

Roll dough and make heart shaped pretzels or oversize pretzel bread sticks, place on GREASED baking sheet, lightly brush with BEATEN EGG, sprinkle with SALT.

Brush with egg.

Twist and lay out.

 

BAKE at 425 degrees for 12 -15 minutes.

Try with usual dips WARM CHEESE and HOT MUSTARD

Or Experiment with CREAM CHEESE, PEANUT BUTTER, and PIZZA SAUCE.

Valentine Toast with Milk Paint

5 Fab Valentine Crafts

Salt with table salt or pretzel salt, place in oven.

Recommended Reading:

Valentine Doily Gift Pouch

Valentine Cootie Catcher Super Valentine Card Pack*

The Story of Valentine's Day*












ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)