Shrinky Dink Jewelry

This is not the first time I have shared how amazing shrinky dinks are in class on this blog, and it probably will not be the last. As I was wrapping up the school year I wanted to give my 5th graders a WOW project.... in this case, I mean a project that will make them say WOW!! Shrinky Dinks was just the thing!! 

For those of you who did not grow up in the 80's (the first go round of this product) as I did, you may not know what Shrinky Dinks are. It's plastic sheets that you can draw on, cut out, and punch holes in. After you are finished manipulating the plastic, you place it in an oven at 350-ish degrees and watch the magic happen. The plastic shrinks to about 1/3 of its size.  On it's way to shrinkage, it folds and bends and looks like it is being destroyed.  It's quite entertaining to watch. 

A regular oven will work.  You just need a cookie sheet or something oven safe and has a flat surface. In a classroom situation, I have a toaster oven that works well. This way, the students can see first hand the magic.

The materials for my students for this project was a 1 1/2 X 4-inch sheet of plastic (cut down from 8X10), colored pencil/sharpies, an elastic string, and beads. I always get the 'frosted' Shrinky Dink because there is a little tooth or texture to one side that allows the students to use colored pencil or sharpies.  The time allowed to work on this project was about 45 minutes, but most students were done in about a half hour.

I had the students design the plastic (on the rough side of the plastic) using either colored pencils or sharpies. I asked them to keep it as a design rather than words or numbers.  When students use characters, they will often end up backward because there are two sides to this plastic. Once they bring the plastic up to me, I use a hole punch for each end.  I typically punch 3 holes next to each other so there is space large enough for the elastic to easily go through. YOU MUST PUNCH THE HOLES BEFORE SHRINKING!!

For this quick make and take, I gave students elastic and beads.  They strung the elastic through each hole as shown above, and then added the beads. Finally, they tied off the bracelet! I gave the suggestion to add clear nail polish to the knot when they get home to assure it's connection for a longer time.  A little drop of nail polish hardens and makes the knot more secure.  This was a GREAT send off for the class of 2024.  Good luck in the middle school kiddos! 

For a more advanced version of Shrinky Dink jewelry, please see this previous post. or for a more focused lesson on the design of the jewelry, please click here for this previous post. 

8th Grade Jewelry Unit Survey

I did my jewelry unit a little different this quarter.  I gave my 8th grade their cornell notes (click here for link).  Then I told them they had to do two of any of the options.  The change is, I was not going to help them.  The 'big idea' for this unit is to teach the kids that they can use online resources to learn how to create.  I loved doing it this way.  I wasn't surprised how hard it was initially for my students who often have their lessons broke down so much that there is little 'thinking' or creativity involved.  The first day there was a LOT of questions towards me and I simply encouraged them to 'use their resources'.




At the end of the project I gave a survey.  My two 8th grade classes took the survey for a total of 68 participants. These were the results.

I gave four possibilities this quarter.  I was a little surprised that the Loop Bracelets (aka., rainbow bands) was so popular still.  I thought this was old hat now because it was so hot at the beginning of the year in the middle school.  We all know that 'cool' only last a half of a day in the middle school.  Pop tab bracelets are AWESOME and was sure it would be one of the top choices. Friendship bracelets required a 'practice' before I gave them the 'good' string, so I didn't think many would choose that one.

I was blown away with this one.  I asked the kids WHY they made their choices.  There was a lot of them that did the bracelet because they thought it looked cool.  I kind of thought that the kids would do what their friends did.  I was glad to see the top reasons were because they liked the look of the jewelry and because they wanted to learn something new.

Video and friends were the most popular ways that the student choose to learn.  I allowed students to use their devices and I had 5 iPad's available most days.  It made it easy to use technology.  The last question I asked was open ended and allowed for comments.  ALL were positive.  The survey was anonymous so they could have said anything.  One of the comments read like this...

"I like using the iPads as a resource because there is so many websites to help with the jewelry instructions."

This was great to see as well.  We talked about how there were many people who liked using tutorials for instruction but still a large portion prefer friends and teachers.  We talked a bit about differentiation and how it is important in education to teach in many ways to reach all of the learners.

Fishtail, Rainbow Band Bracelets

If you haven't see these rainbow bands around you will... They are HOTT in both the middle and elementary right now.  I found a supplier online them and ordered as soon as I started seeing them.  In 8th grade we do a jewelry unit and these were a perfect addition to the the mix of jewelry we make.  I did a couple of videos explaining two different fish tail bracelet.  I would like to give a shout out to the 700, 10 year old girls on youtube who taught me how to make these.  I also want to thank my 8th grade girls who showed me new ways to create this bracelet in a new way.

Below you see Jade showing us that you can use two pencils, rather then your fingers or a loom.  It was a great adaptation for all students who wanted to use this method.  Boy are kids smart:)

8th grade, Jewelry this quarter...

This quarter we have a little more time for our jewelry unit.  Students will be making all three bracelets.  Here are the recourses that I have found helpful!

Zig Zag Bracelets by Mrs. Novak:

Click here for AWESOME instructions

Zig Zag by Fluffyland Craft:

Fluffyland Craft Click Here

Pop Tabs from Trash Fashion:

Trash Fashion Click Here

MiniMatisse's ideas and link to a good video...

Click here for ideas and video

Shrinky Dink Bracelets:

MiniMatisse How to Click Here

Loop Bracelets

This is a super simple, very quick jewelry project.  I was really surprised at how much the kids loved them.  Many students showed me the ones they made at home that night.  Here's how I explained the project and I would give this no more then 30 minutes for middle school students.  

Colored pop tab bracelets

Here's a new idea on an old project.  The last couple of quarters my 8th grade have made pop tab bracelets.  This quarter I will give the kids an option to spice things up a bit.  They can bring in finger nail polish to coat some of their tabs before making the bracelet.  To see how we made the bracelets  please click on this previous post.

Easy as can be but give it such a more 'middle school' feel.  I love it!

Pop Tab Bracelets

We are running out of time for 2nd quarter and I haven't hit jewelry yet.  I usually do a shinky dink friendship bracelet but I don't think I'm going to have time.  Ms. Paula Rezende  has come to my rescue!  Besides the kids need a break from my voice and Ms. Rezende has a wonder accent to listen to and well manicured blue fingernails... I'm sure my 8th grade will love it:)  Thanks Paula!

Shrinky Dink Bracelet

How cute are these.  I used Shrinky Dinks to create the plastic middle on these little gems.  Here is how I worked the lesson.

Day One:

Students received a worksheet that had for spaces on it.  The spaces were the same size as the plastic shrinky dink before shrinking.  In this case, 2 inches by 5 inches.  They were to draw three ideas and present me with their #1.  I would make suggestions or approve the design and present them with a plastic sheet (shrinky dink).  They drew the design on with permanent marker.  

Day Two:

When finished up with the plastic design, the students were instructed to get the 'practice string' to try out the knots of the friendship bracelets.  As they were practicing, I was shrinking plastic in the back with a toaster oven.  I would assist in placing a hole punch BEFORE shrinking the materials.

I decided to double (actually triple) myself by recording myself making the friendship bracelet knots (two videos, one for the basic and one for the more advanced).  I explained them knots verbally once at the beginning of class and then looped the video on my Smartboard with out words.  The kids could refer to the video when they needed assistance.

Knot 1 Above

Knot 2 Above

Above is an example of what I had playing on the board for the kids.  It was very helpful!

Day 3 and 4:  It took the average student a bit over an hour to complete the two bracelets off each end of the plastic.  I would allow early finishers to make other friendship bracelets.  I also graded the bracelets before letting them take them home so I was grading those two days too.

Things I learned... I learned that the plastic part should be shorter.  I found that the length or the curve of the plastic made it week and when middle school kids took these home, many of them broke.  I would make the plastic shorter and perhaps with out the curve next time.

     

Paper Bead Cuff Bracelet

Jewelry making is not my strong suit... but I was happy with this last jewelry piece we worked on at the end of last quarter.  I have a VERY UNEDITED video to share with you (see below).  This is the way I approached the lesson.  I'm sure there are MANY ways to teach this and if you alter the plan a little, I would love to hear about it.  I was inspired by the MANY jewelry works I have found on Pinterest. (click here to see my jewelry board).

Art Soup...

You have to come to ART Soup!!!

If you are in the area you need to join the Elk River Art Alliance for their biannual Art Soup Festival. I have been going for years and have volunteered at the activity tent many times. If you visit our activity tent this year you will be able to participate in…

Bracelets with pop tabs

Friendship bracelets

Corner Book Marks

Paper Beads (How to make paper beads, and Paper Eden)

Zentangles and ATC

Self Painting Face Painting and Paper Hats: Inspired by the Minneapolis Children's Museum See previous post…

Finally, Shrinky Dinks

We are also still looking for volunteers for this event. If you are interested you can email me at Nicholechahn@yahoo.com or you can contact the Elk River Arts Alliance by going to the website of calling, 763-441-4725.