D.I.Y. [Do It Yourself]

This quarter I have enjoyed teaching the middle school D.I.Y. elective, a brand new elective class that I'm creating as I go!  Yes, the idea originated from my love of Pinterest, but it has been really neat to see the students develop important life skills - resourcefulness, creativity, generosity - through our fun projects.

DIY Envelopes

(Idea from: http://www.neverhomemaker.com/2009/12/craftastic-envelope-diy.html)

DIY Collage Covers

I laminated their final result and taped it to their homework planner cover.

DIY Origami Frogs and Boxes

I used the opaque projector to demonstrate paper folding.

(Idea from: http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-box-with-cover.html)

DIY Trail Mix

Our class made the bags of mix for the middle school overnight.

DIY Decorative Letters

We wrapped cardboard letters with colored yarn - and had some fun adventures with the glue gun!

(Idea from: http://www.delicateconstruction.com)

DIY House Scent Jars

We packed small glass jars with fall-smelling things to give as appreciation gifts to the middle school teachers.  (One mix: orange, anise stars, allspice, and cinnamon sticks.  Other mix: orange, ginger, vanilla extract.)  When the contents of this jar are simmered over low heat on the stove, the house smells amazing! 

(Idea from: http://www.theyummylife.com/Natural_Room_Scents)

DIY Candle Holders

These jars are wrapped in rubber bands, ready for spraypainting.  After the paint dries, rubber bands are removed to allow light from the candle to shine through.

(Idea from: http://theforgestyle.blogspot.de/2011/11/diy-yarn-wrapped-painted-jars.html and http://www.thehyperhouse.com/2012/01/elegant-votive-candleholders/)

I am also absolutely thrilled for my D.I.Y. class to be heading up Operation Christmas Child this year!  Last year, I worked with my fourth graders to coordinate the project at the elementary school.  Each student had a job to get the rest of the elementary grades involved.  Together we packed 43 boxes!   This year the middle school DIY elective also has jobs and will head it up for all three campuses.  We have a goal of 100 boxes!  I'm excited to see how our community comes together to make an impact with shoeboxes -- and how God will use these shoeboxes to transform the lives of kids around the world.