Hawaiian Leis

3rd Grade

Art207-08, Group 5

Danielle Bertini, Amy Dickens, Katie Sugg, Mike Nemiroff

Objectives:

- Students will learn how to create Hawaiian Leis

- Students will learn about Hawaiian culture through the different types of Hawaiian flowers.

- Students will enhance their small motor skills.

- Students will learn the concept (art) of patience.

Student Materials:

-Straws -Assorted tissue paper -Scissors

-String -Assorted colored paper -Hole puncher

Teacher Materials:

Pictures of Hawaii in relation to the US

Pictures of flowers and leis

Examples of the procedures

Vocabulary:

-Plumeria

-Leis

-Orchid

-Aloha

Procedures:

1. Cut the string about 2 ft./ cut straws into small pieces.

2. Tie one straw at end so flowers and straws don’t fall through.

3. Make flowers using tissue paper and paper.

4. Alternate flower and straw as you put onto the string.

5. Fill until the string is almost filled.

Comment/Suggestions:

- The children may use a stencil to create the flower.

- The children can design their own flowers as they wish.

Cultural/Historical Background:

The floral lei dates back to the ancient Hawaiians who wore braided leaves, native flowers, shells, feathers, stones and bones to make themselves beautiful. They also offered the leis to their gods and each other as a symbol of love and friendship. Giving a “flower lei” as a gift also expresses the same meaning as the word “Aloha”, which is love, mercy, compassion, pity, loved one, to love, greetings, and goodbye. It is a word that has to do with deep feelings and emotions. Traditionally, the gesture of giving a lei is accompanied by a kiss on the cheek to show it is presented with those same feelings of emotions and sincerity. Leis are still made the same way today, as they were made many years ago by braiding, twisting, wrapping or stringing (like we will be doing) colorful flowers and greenery. They can be worn around your neck, head, wrists or ankles. Nowadays, leis are traditionally made with orchids, but you can also make them with your favorite flowers, leaves and shells. They have been known to be given for marriages, birthdays, lu’aus, and funerals, as well as other times to express gratitude or warmth of friendship.

Artistic Development:

Children between the ages of seven and nine are in what is known as the Schematic Stage of artistic development. During this time the children’s drawings begin to reflect their knowledge of their own environment. Bodies of humans or animals are usually made up of geometric shapes. The first figures they draw are usually of themselves, their parents, siblings, and friends. They also begin to use decorative embellishments and as their sense of self begins to develop, their awareness of their individuality and their differences from others begins to become apparent to them.

References:

http://www.vermontartscouncil.org/hsap/design.htm

http://www.folklife.si.edu/vfest/hawaii/lei.htm

http://www.hawaiiweb.com/html/leis_history.html

Comments:
Group 1- Liked the explanation, it was simple, quick and fun>Group 2- Like that we walked around and gave individual help
Group 3- Visual Aides were good, the history was also good
Group 4- Liked the simplicity of the lesson, and how fast and easy the
clean up was
Group 6- Ditto- liked the colorfulness, age appropriate
Group 7- Templates were good, next time bring a real lei as well