Up & Away

Where do balloons go when they fly away? Explore funny balloon-escape stories and write an imaginary story about the whereabouts of lost balloons.

• 1.

  Read Where Do Balloons Go? or a similar humorous story about balloons. Use your imagination to determine what the sky would look like if it were filled with all the lost balloons in the world. Also find information about what happens in real life to helium-filled balloons when they escape. With your friends, brainstorm a list of ways to assure that balloons do not escape and litter the environment or endanger sea turtles or other wildlife.

• 2.

  Cover your art area with newspaper. Using Crayola® Washable Watercolors and Crayola Paint Brushes, color a sky background on watercolor paper. For a wash of color, wet the paper first. Use varying amounts of paint to create a realistic sky effect. Dry.

• 3.

  On a separate piece of watercolor paper, sketch helium balloons in different sizes and shapes with Crayola Colored Pencils. Color them with various colors of watercolor paint and brushes. Dry.

• 4.

  Cut out the balloons using Crayola Scissors. Glue one edge of each balloon onto the sky background with Crayola Glue Sticks. Stuff balloons with tissues and then glue down the other end. Glue on pieces of colorful yarn for balloon strings.

• 5.

  Write a story about the scene you created. How did the balloons get lost? Where did they go? What happens to them?

Benefits

• Students research where balloons go when they fly away, the consequences of their escape, and suggest alternative possibilities for preventing balloon escapes in real life.<br>
• Students identify humorous stories and discuss the qualities that make them funny.<br>
• Students design and create a balloon retreat or a place in the sky where balloons go when lost, and write a story about their scene.

Adaptations

• Students with special needs may appreciate assistance when stuffing their balloons.<br>
• Read about how hot air balloons work. How are they similar and different to rubber and plastic helium-filled balloons? Create a sky filled with hot air balloons during a festival using the same art techniques described here.<br>
• Read books with balloon characters. Draw similar characters and write your own story or comic strip.