Colorful Stained-Glass Candleholder

Teaching Theme of the Week

by Gary Hopkins, Editor-in-Chief, Education World®

Students create a colorful candleholder -- a bright gift for a family member, neighbor, or friend!

Subjects: Arts & Literature, Social Studies

Grade Levels: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

• follow directions to create a colorful candleholder; and,
• wrap and present the candleholder as a gift to a family member, neighbor, or friend.

Keywords
candle, light, stained glass, candle, December

Materials Needed

• baby food jars or other small jars, one per student
• bright-colored tissue paper
• liquid starch (or white glue mixed with equal parts of water)
• paint brush or cotton swab

Procedure
In this lesson, students create a colorful candleholder -- a bright holiday gift for a family member, neighbor, or friend!

In the days leading up to this activity, have students bring in small jars and bottles big enough to hold votive or tea candles. When you are ready to begin the activity, distribute one jar to each student. Demonstrate how to make a colorful, stained-glass-look, candleholder by cutting or tearing brightly colored tissue paper into little shapes, both squares and uneven shapes. Dip a paintbrush into liquid starch mixed according to package directions. Brush starch onto one of the shapes and apply it to the jar. Continue until about 20 small tissue shapes have been applied to the jar. Then brush a coat of starch over the entire area. Continue adding tissue shapes, one section of the jar at a time, until the jar is completely covered. Emphasize to students that if care is taken the result will be impressive. A rushed and sloppy job will look just that way when it is completed.

Notes: Students might apply the starch/glue using cotton swabs instead of paintbrushes. A well stirred mixture of ½ white glue and ½ water can be used as a substitute for liquid starch.

Insert a votive candle or tea light into the jar and show students how the jar will look when candlelight shines through the colored tissue paper.

When the project is done, the teacher or school custodian might take the jars outside to spray them with a coat of clear lacquer, shellac, or varnish to protect the tissue-paper surface.

Assessment
Did students take care and exhibit patience so the finished product looks neat, not sloppy?

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