Maribel's Blog

Dog Foam House

This was my final project for Artistic Expression during the Fall session/semester. It took me two days to build it. Well, not really 24 hours but I did it when I have time to do it and when my baby was sound asleep.

I got this idea from Michael Store, they have similar display but they do not have the pattern on how to make them. So , I just made my own pattern, this one I created was a little bit bigger than the store.

I got 45/50 marked on this project which was not bad after all. 

Below is the lesson plan I made for this project. This Dog Foam House was divided into several lesson plan according to the age of the children.

Theme: Pets, Domestic Animals

DOG FOAM HOUSE

Objective:	At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to create a dog foam house and put the other parts together. The students will establish creativity and use their imaginative ideas into reality.
Pre-requisite Skills:	Able to cut the foam and put the parts of the house together.
Materials Needed:	Ø  Foam crafts of different colors Ø  Scissor Ø  Glue Ø  Cut-shaped cardboard
Classroom Dynamics:	Put all the required materials for the activity on the table. The previous activities finished projects such as Foam Flower Making, Dog’s Necessities Making (Bowl & Food) and Dog Foam Craft should be ready in order to attach these items to the final project.
Presentation:	Ø  Introduce the activity to the students by telling them the importance of dog shelter. Ø  Show pictures with of the dog house and how dog being comfortable having his own place. Ø  Let the students use their own creativity. Ø  Let them manipulate the materials according to their own imagination. However, if they feel difficulties show them how to make the house and put the parts together, but most of them they know in their own little way just make sure to guide and encourage them until the final project is done. What the children need to do?·       ·                  Children will traces shaped cut cardboard on to the foam sheet to for roof, walls and or stairs (stairs optional). Then cut. ·                  Glue the cut materials and put it together to form a house. Since some of the parts are already done from the previous activity, this will make the activity much easier less consuming time.
Reinforcement Activity:	This is also a reinforcement activity from the previous arts lesson. However, I may be encouraged the student to ask some questions related to the activity and let them explain about the learning experiences on making the arts and crafts.
Developmental Focus:	Ø  Creativity - putting all the parts together Ø  Intellectual - learning by doing Ø  Gross and fine motor - cutting and gathering parts together Ø  Social/ Emotional - talking to their friends about the finish project.

I am so proud to present my very own handmade felt story of the famous, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.

This project was part of my finals in educational portfolio of my Observation and Experimentation. This felt story is really appropriate for any age level because it is safe and interactive. My three children 9, 5 and 21 months old are having fun putting the pieces into the flannel board as I read the story.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, teaches language and cognitive skills. When you read the story and ask a child to help you put or place the pieces of the felt sheets, the child could memorize the details of the story and they even can make their own stories particularly the life cycle of the caterpillar or butterfly. In that case, it will also teach them about science. Aside from that, the story teaches also about Mathematics as well as enhances their imaginative skills.

It helps also their Physical development (fine-motor skills) because the child will pick up pieces as you read along the stories.

Note: If somebody is interested to know the details for making this felt story, you can ask by leaving comments and I am happy to answer you back.

This was my second painting creation. Just too bad that I do not have a picture of my husband’s truck where I paint an ads of his plumbing business before, that was my first painting.

My eldest son’s favorite Disney character is Lightning McQueen. Therefore, my husband and I, made a car bed for my son since, he (DJ) is a fan of this movie. It was me who painted it that lasted for almost a whole day. My effort was really worthy because DJ loves it so much, he slept on that bed with smile and proud that his daddy and mommy made it for him however, we had lost it when our apartment was infested with bedbugs and cockroaches.

Including this bed, we abandoned all our stuffs in that building. Everything is now a memory and what it remains was part of my treasured moment. My effort of painting the whole bed is being forgotten but the memory of my son’s sweet and big smile is being painted in my heart and forever to treasure.

My point of making blog about this photo is to remind me of what I did in the past and to show to my son that I care for him. He maybe feel that I didn’t because when he wants to buy something I refused to buy most of the time yet in my heart I love him so much. My heart is aching every time I saw him disappointed, but to spoil him in materials things is also a bad thing.

Through, posting this picture and make blog for it, maybe my son will feel and see how he too important for me.