Alison's Zinnia: by Anita Lobel from Storybook Art by MaryAnn F. Kohl
Alpha Baggie Book Activity
Create a collection of painted flowers such as those so richly depicted by Lobel, placing them in a protective ziplock baggie book.
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Materials:
14 ziplock baggies, all the same size (sandwich, quart, or gallon size)
stapler
choice of sewing machine, or needle and thread
26 paintings (30 papers cut to fit baggies, any kind of paint, paintbrush)
scissors
permanent marker
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Process:
To prepare:
1. Stack the 14 the ziplock baggies together with edges and corners matching. An adult can staple these to hold them in place. Sew through the stack on the closed ends (not the zipper ends) by hand with needle and thread, or have an adult sew them together with a zigzag stitch on the sewing machine. Sometimes it helps to punch holes along the edge to make sewing easiest. (See illustrations.) If all this seems too complicated, staple all the bags together instead!
2. With a permanent marker, label each baggie with a letter of the alphabet, starting with A and ending with Z. Leave the very first baggie blank so that it can be used for the book cover. Start labeling with an A on the next page of the baggie book. Continue to Z, labeling a letter on each page of the baggie book. Then set aside.
The paintings:
It make take some time to create and collect paintings for all 26 letters of the alphabet, but it’s a motivating satisfying experience creating the collection over time.
1. Start thinking of what to paint for each alphabet letter. It could be anything at all that starts with that letter of the alphabet, or working with a category like “animals” or “flowers” or “insects” is fun too. Begin by painting one alphabet painting on each paper. For example, paint an apple on the first paper for A, banana for B, and so on. Start with any letter of the alphabet that comes to mind first. Little by little, all 26 letters will be done.
2. When each painting is dry, slip it into the labeled baggie book on the correct alphabet page.
3. Remember to make a cover painting and a “The End” painting too. Don’t forget to put your name on the book as the author and illustrator!
Variations:
• Create a Number Baggie Book, painting 1 object on the first page, 2 objects on the second page, 3 objects on the third page, and so on.
• Create a very easy book by simply stapling a grouping of paintings together, whether it is alphabetical or not. Papers should be the same size or trimmed to be the same size.
copyright © 2005 MaryAnn Kohl
This art activity is copyright protected.
Permission is granted to reprint one copy for personal use only.
Please contact maryann@brightring.com or 800-480-4278 for permission to reprint
multiple copies or to disperse.
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