Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda
August 31, 2009
Chinmaya OM Coloring Page
Click on picture and print. (Enlarge to 160% if you want to fill the page.)
Heart Pop-Up Card
This project was used to accompany "L is for Love." Pop-Up cards are always a big hit ...
Materials
2 Greeting Cards — 1 larger and 1 smaller in size.*
Glue Stick
Scissors
Markers, Crayons, and/or stickers for decorations
*If you prefer to cut your own cards to size, make sure you use a card-stock weight paper. The larger card should have a margin of 1/4 to 1/2 inch on all 4 sides. This will make it easier for the children to glue the inner card (pop-up structure) to the outer card.
Directions
1. On the fold of the smaller card, draw two lines that resemble 1/2 the side of a heart. See Picture A for example.
Picture A
2. With scissors, cut on the two lines.
3. Fold the heart down. (This will the pop-up easier to work with.) See Picture B for example.
Picture B
4. Open the card and pop the heart up. See Picture C.
Picture C
5. Decorate the heart with crayons, stickers, etc.
6. Center the pop-up card inside the larger card.
7. Working with one side of the card only, glue the entire surface of the smaller card — making sure to not glue the cut out region. See Picture D for example.
Picture D
8. Lay the outer card down gently and smooth with your hand.
9. Turn the card over and repeat steps 7 and 8.
Japa Mala
This mala was designed for the kindergarten Balavihar class. Our lesson was "J is for Japa."
Materials
• 27 beads of your choice
• 1 meru bead — a little larger than the japa beads. (The center hole must be able to fit 2 pieces of yarn.)
• One piece of yarn (six stranded crochet cotton is good)
• Elmer's Glue
Directions
1. Dip one end of your cotton thread into the Elmer's glue. Roll the glued end between your fingers until it starts to form a hardended tip. Do the same to the other end. (see photo A below)
2. With one end of the cotton thread all 27 beads. (see photo B below)
3. Take both ends of the cotton and insert them through the meru bead. (see photo C below)
4. Make a big knot at the botton of your meru bead. You might have to knot a few times to make sure that the the knot is bigger than the hole of your bead.
5. Trim the cotton ends to a desired length.
6. You can make a simple tassle by untwisting both ends of the cotton.
* If you want to make a japa mala consisting of 108 beads, the technique is the same. To make an authentic mala a knot must be tied between each bead.(see photo D below)
Photo A
Photo B
Photo C
Photo D
Ganesha Stand Up Card
This art activity was created to accompany our lesson on "I is for Intelligence." In class the children receive pre-cut pieces and a stand up card. They are then asked to assemble the pieces to make an image of Lord Ganesha. The end result is a colorful stand-up picture which the kids can place on their altar and enjoy!
Materials
• White poster board (6 x 13.5)
• Different scraps of colored paper (card stock weight works well)
• Scissors
• Glue Stick
• 2 wiggly eyes
• acrylic self-sticking gem
Directions
1. Click here for the Lord Ganesha template. Make sure that you reduce the printing to 50%.
2. Print template onto card stock and cut out.
3. Trace template pieces onto different colored paper. Cut them out.
4. Cut a piece of poster board to 6 x 13.5
5. Fold the poster board in half so that it measures 6 x 6.75.
6. Assemble the colored pieces of paper onto the poster board until they resemble Lord Ganesha.
7. Glue the pieces on.
8. Add colorful googly eyes. And don't forget the gem for his sweet!
Hanuman Puppet
Materials
Brown paper lunch bag1 Sheet light colored cardstock (for printing templates)
Brown construction paper (for head)
Light brown construction paper (for mouth)
Dark Brown construction paper (for hair and tail)
Small piece of black construction paper (for end of tail)
Gold Foil*(for गदा, gadaa)
Black Marker
2 Googly eyes
Gold sequins
*If using gold foil for the gadaa, glue the foil onto a piece of sturdy cardstock first. This will provide nice stability. After gluing it onto cardstock, trace the template and cut out.
Directions
Print the template below onto light colored cardstock.1. Cut out template pieces and trace them onto corresponding colored construction paper. Cut out.
2. Glue mouth onto head. Draw mouth and nose.
3. Glue head onto bag.
4. Glue hair onto head. Decorate with sequins
5. Glue eyes. Draw eyebrows.
6. Glue tail onto bag.
7. Glue the gadaa.
Click on image below for full-page view. Print.
©This project is dedicated to Gurudev. For personal use (or use in Balavihar classrooms) only.
Spinning Top
Make your very own spinning top which spins like a dream! This project was created for the kindergarten's Alphabet Safari. Our subject was "E is for Enthusiasm."
Materials
• White poster board
• Green poster board
• Crayons or markers
• Drinking Straw
• 1 bead (that fits snuggly into the straw)
• Tape
• Pencil
• Glue Stick
• Glass or Cup
• Scissors
• Awl or sharp pencil
Directions
1. Print out diagram below. Cut out the circle and the rim. (These will be your templates.)
2. Trace templates onto poster board.
3. Cut out the circle and the rim which you traced onto poster board.
4. Decorate and color the circle with crayons or markers.
5. Glue the rim onto the base circle.
6. Cut the straw to about 3 1/2 – 4 inches in length.
7. Put the bead into one end of the straw. It should fit snuggly and have about 1/2 of it showing outside the straw. (This is the part that makes it spin nicely.)
8. With an awl or a pencil, pierce a hole into the center of the disc. Make the opening no larger than the diameter of the straw.
9. Put the straw through the hole.
10. It's a good idea to tape the straw on the backside of the disc to hold it in place. (This helps to give the top more balance and momentum.)
11. Spin!!!
Click on the image below to view template full-screen. Print.
Keychain
This keychain was made for "D is for Daddy." It is extremely easy to make. Everyone has fun stringing beads — even the youngest child!
Materials
• 1 split ring or key ring
• 1 piece of hemp, plastic lacing thread (or any strong bead stringing material)
• Beads (your choice)
Directions
1. Tie the stringing thread onto the split ring.
2. Have the child string the beads in the order they choose.
3. Tie a solid knot once the stringing is complete. Make sure that the knot is bigger that the bead's hole!
Scratch Art
© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.
For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.
Click on picture to view enlarged.
Click on picture to view enlarged.
This is a very fun project to do, especially with the younger kids — everyone loves scratch art! To make your own scratch art sheets you will need the following:
Materials
• Black Tempera Paint
• A few drops of dish detergent
• Picture of God or Goddess (Glossy photos work best)
• Q-tip (or paper towel*)
• Paintbrush
• Paint dish
* If the children are really ambitious "scratchers" then a paper towel might work better than a Q-tip. Too much pressure with the Q-tip can remove parts of the image.
* If the children are really ambitious "scratchers" then a paper towel might work better than a Q-tip. Too much pressure with the Q-tip can remove parts of the image.
Directions
1. Pour some tempera paint into your dish.
2. Add a few drops of dish detergent and mix well.
3. With your paintbrush, paint some broad and even strokes onto a glossy photograph. Cover completely.
4. Let Dry.
5. Take a Q-tip and let the children rub the photograph until the mystery picture is completely revealed.
Notes
If you want to make scratch art paper for the children to draw pictures with. You will need the following:
Materials
• Good card stock paper
• Wax crayons (colors and black*)
• Toothpick or wooden skewer
* You can also use black tempera paint as outlined above.
* You can also use black tempera paint as outlined above.
Directions
1. Color the entire sheet of paper. (It's best if you use lots of bright colors.)
2. Once your sheet is completely colored, take a black crayon and cover the entire paper. It is important that no color shows. You also may have to rub a little harder with the black crayon to make an even, solid coating.
3. Take a toothpick and draw your picture. Have fun with the colors that emerge!
We Belong to One Family
© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.
For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.
Click on picture to view enlarged.
Click on picture to view enlarged.
This project was created to accompany a lesson in our Alphabet Safari curriculum. With the template below, the children can make a wall hanging, mobile or a chain of paper dolls.
Materials
• Card Stock to print template on. (Cream is a good color.)
• 3 Colors of card stock for children skin tone. We used Cream, Light brown and dark brown.
• 3 Colors of card stock for the children's hair. (You only need very small pieces of scrap paper.)
• 1 Piece of blue card stock (for earth)
• 1 Piece of green card stock for continents
• Variety of decorative paper scraps (for children's clothes)
• Scissors
• Glue Stick
• Hole Punch
• Piece of ribbon or string
• Markers or crayons (optional)
Directions for Children
1. Print Template 1 on a sheet of cream colored card stock. Cut out all the pieces for your template.
2. Trace your template pieces on the skin toned paper. These will be the children. Cut out.
3. Trace the clothes templates on decorative paper. Cut out.
4. Trace the hair onto paper color of your choice. Cut out.
5. Glue the clothes onto the children.
6. Glue the hair onto the children.
To Make the Earth
You may 1) color the earth with crayons or 2) cut out the continents and the earth out of colored card stock. If you choose to color, please print out template #1. Otherwise, print template #2 if you choose to cut colored card stock. These pieces will be your templates to trace with.
Once you have made your children and your earth, then you are ready to complete this project. Take the child you want in the center and glue the back of his/her head. Place this child onto the world. Do the same with the other two children. Punch a hole at the top of the planet and put a ribbon in.
Template #1
Template #2
Diya Cards
Materials
• Blank greeting card and envelope• Variety of decorative paper scraps (wrapping paper, magazines, scrapbooking – anything with color/texture)
• Gold and red foil (wrapping paper is good)
• Scissors
• Glue Stick
• Sequins or rhinestones (for decorating diya)
Print template on good card stock paper and cut out. Then trace template onto decorative paper and cut out. Glue pieces onto card. Decorate diya with sequins and/or rhinestones.
Note: Gold foil works well for the flame — it reflects the light beautifully. Cut out a smaller flame in red foil.
©This project is dedicated to Gurudev. For personal use (or use in Balavihar classrooms) only.
Click on drawing to get a full page view. Print
Thirsty Black Crow
©This project is dedicated to Gurudev. For personal use (or use in Balavihar classrooms) only.
Click on image to view enlarged.
This is an art project to go along with "The Thirsty Crow."
Click here for a nice animation of this classic tale.
Click here for another animation.
To assemble a kit from class: You will need a glue stick.
1. Place a wing on top of (not between) the body. Make sure that the punched holes line up with each other.
2. Put a brad (paper fastener) through both holes and bend it over (on the back of the body.)
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 with the other wing.
4. Peel the paper off the wiggly eyes and stick them onto the bird's face.
5. Glue the beak on the bird's face.
6. Twirl the straw between your palms.
Note: If the wings do not flap up and down when your child twirls the straw, then you must adjust the brads. After making the brads a little looser, try twirling again!
To make kits for class (or home) you will need the following:
Materials
Light colored piece of cardstock
Black Poster Board
Small piece of orange construction paper (or gold foil)
2 paper fasteners (brads)
straw
2 googly eyes
stapler
scissors
Directions
1. Print the image onto a light colored piece of cardstock. Cut all the pieces out. These are to be used as your templates.
2. Fold a piece of black poster board in half. Place the body template on the paper (with the top of the head at the fold). Trace and cut out. You should have two complete bodies joined at the top of the head.
3. Trace 2 wings onto a single piece of black poster board. Cut out.
4. Trace beak onto orange construction paper. Cut out.
5. Place the straw between the 2 pieces of body and staple onto the straw.
6. Place a wing on top of the body (at the shoulder) and using a hole puncher, punch a hole through the wing and the body. Fasten with a brad. Do the same thing with the other wing.
7. Glue the eyes and the beak on.
8. Twirl the straw between your palms.*
* If the wings don't flap up and down as you spin your crow, then you must loosen the paper fasteners.
Light colored piece of cardstock
Black Poster Board
Small piece of orange construction paper (or gold foil)
2 paper fasteners (brads)
straw
2 googly eyes
stapler
scissors
Directions
1. Print the image onto a light colored piece of cardstock. Cut all the pieces out. These are to be used as your templates.
2. Fold a piece of black poster board in half. Place the body template on the paper (with the top of the head at the fold). Trace and cut out. You should have two complete bodies joined at the top of the head.
3. Trace 2 wings onto a single piece of black poster board. Cut out.
4. Trace beak onto orange construction paper. Cut out.
5. Place the straw between the 2 pieces of body and staple onto the straw.
6. Place a wing on top of the body (at the shoulder) and using a hole puncher, punch a hole through the wing and the body. Fasten with a brad. Do the same thing with the other wing.
7. Glue the eyes and the beak on.
8. Twirl the straw between your palms.*
* If the wings don't flap up and down as you spin your crow, then you must loosen the paper fasteners.
©jmg 2008
For personal use only
For personal use only
Cow Puppet
©This project is dedicated to Gurudev. For personal use (or use in Balavihar classrooms) only.
Click on pictureto to view enlarged.
This a fun project for the young kids to do with the all-time favorite tale, "Punyakoti." After cutting all the pieces out, assembling the puppet is very easy – just refer to the picture above.
Materials
• Brown paper bag (lunch size is good)
• Tan cardstock
• Small piece of black cardstock
• Brown cardstock
• Small piece of pink cardstock
• Glue stick
• 2 Wiggly eyes
• Scissors
• Black marker
Directions
1. Print image below. (Click on image for enlarged view.) Cut out pieces to use for template.
2. Trace the shapes onto corresponding cardstock color.
3. Cut all the pieces out.
4. Glue onto paper bag. (Refer to picture above for placement.)
5. Draw the nostrils on with black marker.
6. Glue the wiggly eyes.
7. Glue the tail on the back side of bag.
Have fun retelling the story with your puppet!!
Goddess Durga Stand Up Card
© 2008 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.
For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.
Click on image to view enlarged.
Materials
Red posterboard
Black cardstock
Beige (or tan) cardstock
Gold foil
Sequins and/or rhinestones
Glue stick*
Elmer's Glue
Scissors
Black fine point marker
Directions
Print diagram below. Cut out pieces and use for templates. Trace the templates onto the colored cardstock, as indicated. Cut out.
*Use glue stick as much as possible. Elmer's glue will cause the card to "buckle" as it dries, because of the high water content.
1. Draw Mother Durga's face with a fine marker. Glue the face on the hair.
2. Decorate her face with jewels, rhinestones, etc.
3. Glue the gold band onto the red posterboard.
4. Glue the hair and head onto the posterboard.
Click on diagram for full-page view. Print.
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