Esther Locascio: September 2011

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Creation Story Class Activity

Last Sunday my class of sixth grade religious education students learned about the creation story from the Book of Genesis. To reinforce this lesson, I gave the students a 10-15 minute class activity based on an idea I got from a handout the teacher gave us in catechism classes I attended with my kids earlier this year. The handout was a visual of the creation story as found in "A Father Who Keeps His Promises," by Scott Hahn.

Esther's Days of Creation Activity

As you can see from the photo, the students were to draw, color, or use decorative stickers to indicate God's creation over a seven-day period in a compartmentalized house. I gave the students some stickers I'd purchased at the dollar store, but most were extras not needed to make Giftigami Boxes (http://www.estherlocascio.com). The numbers indicate the day of creation, and Day 7 (Sabbath) could have stickers or drawings of recreational activities, such as camping, hiking, photography, dance, or church-related stickers such as crosses and angels.

Band Competition

Our family has been blessed with musical talent. We presently have two children in the high school band, and we're proud as can be of the accomplishments this hard working group of students and their directors has earned. Here they are preparing to compete at their first band competition of the year at my alma mater, East Central High School.

2011 Hornet Invitational Marching Competition

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Religious Card Craft

With a nifty little change to the decorative cards in my previous post, you can make small gifts for seniors in a retirement home, sick children in the hospital, the terminally ill in hospice, etc. I made these with my son's girl friend in mind. She's in basic training for eight weeks and doesn't have any contact with the civilian world, other than letters or the occasional phone call.


Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ

Instructions:
1. Trace outline of oval template onto craft felt fabric and cut.
2. Place a small amount of polyester pillow stuffing in the middle of backside of card.
3. Apply a thin layer of glue around backside of card where tissue and card meet.
4. Press felt onto backside of card.
5. On the front, apply a thin layer of glitter glue around the oval where the tissue and card meet.


Backside of religious craft

Cards in the Mail

Around the holidays, we usually get beautiful cards in the mail from various religious groups asking for

donations, a few of which we support. I've created a fun way to use the cards we don't need.

Instructions:

1. Make oval template from poster board, use to trace and cut figures from cards.

2. Cut a thin strip of metallic tissue paper (about 1/2" wide and 18" long) for each card oval.

3. Fold the strips of tissue to form accordian pleats.

4. Apply glue to edge of each oval card and press pleated tissue onto it.

5. Go to http://www.estherlocascio.com to learn how to make a Giftigami Box.

6. Glue decorated oval card to lid of box.

Religious-themed Giftigami Box