Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. was that bad.” I also slides of continued from page 22 included some Haitian art so they could get a sense for the energy of the Haitian spirit and the vibrancy of the art. It also helped open the door for my Haitian-American students who wished to share their feelings and whether their relatives living in Haiti were OK. This project really helped students feel as though their voice could be heard. Many students told me they didn’t even realize their fellow classmates were Haitian or had ties to Haiti. The students poured their hearts into creating these houses, and many even had a chance to make more than one. In a 45-minute class period, we were able to look at a brief PowerPoint, and discuss what we were doing and the use of symbols such as hearts and peace signs, and create the houses. Students were given a 2.5" x 4" piece of Shrinky Dinks Frosted Ruff N’ Ready. I chose this type because it has a nice transparency, and lends itself very well to colored pencils. Students drew their house on the glossy side using a black permanent pen. The goal was to draw the house as big onto their plastic as possible, since it would shrink to HAITI approximately a third of the original size. Students applied their color to the rough side. To achieve a layered look, we used Prismacolor® Art Stix®. Regular colored pencils also can also be used. As students were working, I played music from the Hope for Haiti Now telethon. I really like using music to help set the tone for a project. Once students designed their houses, they cut them out and brought them to me, in an area we called the “Shrinky Dinks Bakery.” I punched a hole in each house and put it in the toaster oven at 325 degrees for a couple of minutes until it melted and shrank. I prefer doing this in the classroom because it allows students to experience the “magic” of Shrinky Dinks. I see my students on a six-day rotation, so I continued this project for five more days. The school was abuzz—upon completing the first day’s houses, students were already coming to the art room to purchase a house. (We asked for a $1 minimum donation.) Nearly $200 was raised before I even sent the letter home to parents. It was remarkable! One student came in with her piggy bank, counted out all the change ($10.80), bought one house and wholeheartedly donated the rest. Another child came in with 100 pennies. Many children would only take one or two houses, yet donate $4 or $5. It was really great to see the children get involved and want to help a nation of people they didn’t even know. It is what many of us hope for, and to see it in action is inspiring! Faculty and staff were also excited. Our principal purchased a house to wear around his neck to encourage students and show support. The assistant principal made a charm necklace using five houses, and a teacher created a bracelet. Teachers came by the art room to show off their purchased charms. It was great to see everyone get so involved. Working on this project has been so inspiring. It has become clear my students really want to make a difference in the lives of others. They stop by in the morning to ask how much we have raised. To date, my school has raised over $600 to send to Haiti. Thanks to www.haitihouses.com, my students’ works of heART demonstrate that tiny houses really can make a big difference. n Jeannette Smith Anthos is an art educator at Lovin Elementary School in Lawrenceville, Georgia. to imagine, explore, experiment and create. Artteachersfromalloverthe countryhaveassembledonthe pagesofARTS&ACTIVITIESwith asinglepurpose:Tosharewith youtheirbestclassroom-tested, art-teachingexperiences.Tapinto thisinvaluable,time-saving resource.subscribetodayto ARTS&ACTIVITIESmagazine. Inspire your art students Call toll free: 866.278.7678 www.artsandactivities.com 44 april 2010 x www.ar tsandactivities.com