Paper Chain Pixel Art

Here's How We Did It

Materials:

Pixelated image 25 x 25 squares
9 x 12 sheets of construction paper
Stapler(s)
Staples

It started by attempting to find an image that would fit the space we had available.  I'm not much for creating my own Pixel Art, so I was able to find this image by searching for Bead Art on Pinterest

(If you are interested in making your own pixelated creations, try this AMAZING resource created by Eric Curts.  It's a Google Sheet with formatting embedded that allows you to type a number in a grid and have a color appear)

The Process:

➡We began the project by picking our colors and pre-cutting strips measuring 2" X 8"

➡I found it VERY helpful to pre-draw the cutting lines on 1 sheet of white 9 x 12 paper and feeding blank pieces through so there were pre-printed cut lines.

➡Students then worked on each chain with a partner.  Each chain represented a vertical column in the design.  The first loop is a front facing loop and each front facing loop is a pixel in the chart.  The next loop is side facing, I call these connectors.  ALL of my connectors were white.

➡As students worked, one student would typically read the chart and line up the pieces, the other did the stapling.  While they worked, they referenced the columns they were assigned ( I gave each group a number and wrote the number on the starting loop) . We pinned each completed strand to a bulletin board strip for safe keeping.

➡As the image began to take shape, I quickly realized that some students were making tighter loops than others and the columns weren't perfectly lined up.  This isn't easy to rectify, but what I DID do was start stapling together each adjacent side facing loop to help line up the rows.  This made a BIG difference in the appearance of our design.

This final project began with a pixel chart that was 25 squares x 25 squares.  The final dimensions of the project were approximately 5' x 5'  and our work is proudly hanging in the middle of the library.  😃

In the end, we had a pretty AWESOME looking project and a REALLY proud group of kids that were

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More Pixellated Fun!!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pixel-Art-Create-Your-Own-Literary-Symbol-5152279

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pixel-Art-Coat-of-Arms-Project-5154530

STEM Project: Shamrock Circuit!

Certainly circuits seem intimidating at first, but honestly with a little patience and the right materials you can learn how to create a circuit and launch creative STEM learning experiences into your classroom!

I am presently working with my school librarian to set up a MakerSpace for my school and it is definitely QUITE a project.  Harvesting donations, acquiring storage space, establishing a vision, securing and funding supplies/materials and many other tasks loom large on my MakerSpace 'to do' list.

Convinced I would NOT become overwhelmed (I teach ELA and social studies too...😳), I decided to start small by creating a monthly STEM challenge.

Each month, a STEM challenge box will be waiting for students in the MakerSpace area in the library.  Students are invited to tackle the challenge.  Successful students must submit a reflection sheet:

Once students complete the project and submit their reflection sheet, they earn the monthly MakerSpace Challenge badge and have their name listed on the wall of fame!!

Badge created with http://www.onlinebadgemaker.com/

The Shamrock Circuit Project

With rosey cheeks (enhanced by LEDs) and a cute little grin, I'm confident this lucky charmer will win my students over!

The whole concept of circuits was a bit intimidating to me at first, but the web is filled with valuable resources to make circuitry projects approachable for virtually ANYONE!  Some of the best resources I canvased to make this project were:  Makerspaces, Make, SparkFun and Instructables.

Each site provides excellent FREE printables, downloadable materials and instructions to get yourself launched into the world of the paper circuit.

My version of a paper circuit is this Shamrock circuit and it is a GREAT way to bring a robust STEM learning experience into your classroom!

Get the template here!!

Materials Needed:

●1 Shamrock template sheet 
<--click get="" p="" to="" yours=""><----download br="" here="" yours="">●1 coin battery
●Copper Tape with conductive adhesive
●2 LED lights (Light Emitting Diode)
●Regular Adhesive Tape
●Scissors
●Binder Clip
●Reflection Sheet
●Markers/colored pencils for added decoration

Directions:

• Establish a parallel circuit by adhering the copper tape from the battery resting place along the guidelines on the template
• Punch through 2 LED lights to form the 'cheeks'
• Spread the LED terminals so that the longer one touches the + side and the shorter one touches the - side.  Tape in place.
• Place battery + side up on the marked location
• Fold corner along the foldline to connect the copper to the battery and clip with a binder clip to secure.
• Decorate.

Want more?   

Certainly circuits are worth trying, as long as you're:

✨Using Your Smarticles✨

Need materials?  Here are my Amazon affiliate links:

Copper Tape:

Bullet Face Copper Foil Tape with Double-sided Conductive (1/4inch X 21.8yards)- EMI Shielding,Stained Glass,Soldering,Electrical Repairs,Slug Repellent,Paper Circuits,Grounding (1/4inch)

LED:

LED Diode, CO RODE 3mm 5mm LED Lights Emitting Diodes Assorted Clear Bulbs Kit with (White Red Blue Green Yellow, 300-Pack)


Nickel Batteries:

50 Pack 3V High capacity Lithium Button Coin Cell Batteries CR2032 DL2032 ECR2032 GPCR2032 Used in most electronic devices

Foldify and a Few FANTASTIC Ideas!!

The Foldify App has been on the market for some time and seems to have stood the test of time.  At $3.99, it's an investment to consider and as an educator are you TRULY willing to invest $3.99 in an app that generates color printed foldable paper??  I say YES!!   Here's why.

Here's my recent videolog providing a summary of this SUPER app.

https://www.periscope.tv/mrshoward118/1YqGoOqqyegGv

Try these GREAT ideas to integrate Foldify into YOUR class

#1.  Foldify captures the creative element of Maker Spaces.  Maker Spaces aren't ONLY about technology.  More and more proponents are encouraging craft supplies as a part of the maker movement.  Folidfy fits in nicely with the Maker spirit allowing for ingenuity and creativity.

#2.  Create scenes, settings and backgrounds for your stop-motion animation videos!!  Create a HOST of items that can be used as the key figures or backgrounds in stop motion animation films lending a greater depth of ownership and creativity in the process.

#3.  Educators can create instructional resources for students.  Create a review dodecahedron ball (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Review-Tool-Bucky-Ball-Foldable-Dodecahedron-442597) Students roll the ball and view a question with a corresponding answers on the opposite panel.

#4.  Create customized story cubes/comprehension cubes for students to use with the novel of YOUR choice OR create open ended story cubes to tap into student's imaginations!

#5.  Have students demonstrate their understanding of a novel by creating a cereal box book report OR a milk carton with an ad for a missing person!

#6.  Recreate a scene in a novel or a concept in Science/social studies by having groups create a foldify diorama.

Hopefully there is something here you can use!  Thanks for