LESSONS: Visual and Performing Arts- Banners

Students will discuss various celebrations with attention to symbols, colors, images and other visual indicators. They will identify banners, hangings, and other ceremonial objects that contribute to the meaning and mood of a celebration. Either as a class, in small groups, or individually, students will either create their own festival or work with an established one, to make celebratory paper hangings, inspired by cloth ones. See the Gallery section, on the Shining Cloth Web site (http://shiningcloth.ucdavis.edu) for these images:

Discuss the images, symbols, colors and objects associated with Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Asian and American New Years', Independence Days in the USA and Mexico, Halloween, Day of the Dead, Valentine's Day, and so forth. Students can either select an existing festival, research a little-known one, or create a new one from their imaginations. They can use a checklist to identify specific images, symbols, colors, and objects. They look at and then discuss the functions of the textiles listed above. Using these as sources of inspiration, they create paper hangings and banners incorporating images, symbols, and colors reflecting their celebrations.

After the paper banners and hangings are created, these can be used in combination with the headband and/or toran project, and readers' theater or dance event for a parents' night or school event.

Supplies:
For each student- white, brown or colored butcher paper.
Assorted colored papers; magazine or mail order catalogue color images; aluminum foil for "mirrors"; recycled candy and other wrappers; other flat found objects; color media such as crayons, oil pastels, or tempera paints; toothpicks; white glue or glue sticks; scissors; yardsticks or ruler; glitter powders, sequins, ribbons.

Procedure:
1. Students identify the shape and scale of their paper hanging or banner and cut it out from butcher or large construction paper.
2. Students cut out and glue down large colorful paper shapes to establish their images/symbols and composition.
3. Mixed media is applied to accentuate the large paper cutouts. Students can draw lines with white glue and sprinkle while wet with glitter powders, glue on sequins, and use other media as desired.