Activity 5: Window/Mirror Panel - Postcards from the Journey
Part of Windows and Mirrors, Grades 4-5
Activity time: 5 minutes
Materials for Activity
- Newsprint, markers and tape
- All participants' Window/Mirror Panels
- 5x7-inch unlined index cards from Activity 4, A Church Journey
- Color pencils and sharpener
- Adhesive or double-sided tape to attach postcards to window/mirror panels
- Optional: Extra jelly beans from Activity 3, Jelly Bean Trade
- Basket(s) of Window/Mirror Panel materials:
- Sheets of Mylar(R) in several colors, shiny gift wrap, aluminum foil, and other reflective paper
- Sheets of plain or construction paper
- Scraps of fabric
- Color markers (permanent markers work best on Mylar)
- Glue sticks, tape (including double-sided tape) and scissors (including left-hand scissors)
- Optional: Stick-on sequins, a hole-puncher, yarn, ribbon, and a variety of magazines to cut up
Preparation for Activity
- Post blank newsprint where all can see it.
- Have materials easily accessible.
- Make sure pencils are sharpened.
Description of Activity
Ask the children to recall the stories they heard on their journey and the words the adults shared. Invite them to consider the reasons the adults and they, themselves, come to church and what they find here. Brainstorm a list of words.
Invite them to use as many words as they wish from the list or to choose just one and illustrate a "postcard" as if they had been on vacation. Say something like, "If you wanted to share with a friend or family member what is important about coming to church, what would the postcard look like?"
Keep instructions brief. Explain that they have a very short time to complete this.
Tell them that they will add these postcards to their Window/Mirror Panels. As children finish, distribute the Window/Mirror Panels or invite the children to get their panels from where they are stored. Allow them to choose where the postcard should go on their panel and help them attach it.
You may wish to say, in your own words:
By making this art, you are co-creating the church. You are reminding everyone why church is important. Sharing helps weave the fabric of our faith community.