Celestial Characters

Read and write myths and legends about celestial bodies then portray the personalities of the sun, moon, and stars in Model Magic® sculptures.

• 1.

  Read myths and legends about the sun, moon, and stars from a variety of cultures. Compare each culture's perception of celestial personalities. Choose a Celestial Character to portray in an original sculpture.

• 2.

  Mix Crayola Model Magic colors to suit the Celestial Character's personality. For example, blend two primary colors (red, yellow, blue) to make a secondary hue (orange, green, purple). Create tints by adding white. For a marbled effect, blend colors incompletely to make streaks.

• 3.

  Shape the compound to create a character's form that can hang from the ceiling. Flatten Model Magic with fingers or a rolling pin, or roll it into balls and coils. Build long, thin shapes around supports such as straws and toothpicks.

• 4.

  For details, add small pieces. Or make multicolored "cinnamon roll" shapes for the character's features. Flatten at least two balls of different-colored Model Magic using a rolling pin or dowel. Stack the flattened disks tightly, and roll them up. Use Crayola Scissors to cut 1/4-inch segments. Press firmly to connect all pieces.

• 5.

  Embellish the Celestial Character with beads, feathers, or other decorative materials. Add sparkle with Crayola Glitter Glue.

• 6.

  While the Model Magic is still damp, embed a paper clip into the top or back of the character. When the sculpture is dry, attach fishing line and hang characters in the sky.

• 7.

  Gaze up at your Celestial Characters and make up your own myths and legends about them.

Benefits

• Students read myths and legends about celestial bodies.
• Students represent the "character" of the sun, moon, clouds, or stars.
• Students invent their own stories about their celestial characters.

Adaptations

• What a great opportunity for parents and children to explore together. Encourage families to visit planetariums or watch the night sky. Look for shapes in cloud formations. Track the moon's progress across the sky as it waxes and wanes.
• Younger children and special needs students may benefit from short practice sessions experimenting with color mixing and sculpting techniques before participating in this activity.
• Children with special needs could create similar characters using computer-assisted drawing tools.
• Write a "quotation" that reflects the personality of your Celestial Character. Choose "quotations" randomly and guess which one goes with which sculpture, based on its form and expression.