4 sessions; 30 minutes per session

1. SWBAT create a 3-Dimensional paper beetle.
2. SWBAT tell why the beetle was of importance to the Egyptian people.

1.Pencils
2. 9x12” Colored Paper
3. pipe cleaners
4. metallic paper
5. laminating film
6. sharpies
7. scissors
8. glue
9. stick on eyes (or just draw with sharpies)
10. tape (optional)
11. crayons
12. white paper
13. Texture plates (optional)

Need these materials? Visit Blick!

Day 1:
1. View images on pull down screen of beetles, an Egyptian Sarcophagus decorated with scarabs, amulets, and the beetle pushing the dung ball. Discuss the location of the beetle painted on the sarcophagus (over the heart and brain). Discuss how the pushing of the dung/dirt ball and the appearing of baby beetles out of the ball reminded the Egyptians of the sun setting and rising and therefore NEW LIFE or REBIRTH.
2. Students fold their colored paper in half. They draw an oval shaped body and add a bump for a head. Cut out the head while it is folded. Label with name and art code.
3. Students each get three pipe cleaners. They lay two pipe cleans on lines of glue (or tape on) for the legs. With the third pipe cleans they first divide it in half. One section becomes the legs near the head. With the remaining piece of pipe cleaner they divide it in half one more time. These two pieces are the antennae. Glue or tape on.
4. Pour a generous amount of glue on top of the pipe cleaners and lay the other half on top.

Day 2:
1. Students will use texture plates or explore different textures in the art room to create rubbings with bright colored crayons on white paper.
2. Students will trace bug bodies on the rubbings while hopping over the pipe cleaner legs.
3. Students will cut out the traced bug body and glue onto their beetle surface.

Day 3:
4. Students will use metallic paper for the inner wings of the beetle. Lay the beetle on the metallic paper. Trace around the beetle, hopping over the legs. Draw lines on the traced shape to divide the oval into two wings.
5. Before gluing the inner wings on, do the same steps to create the outer wings with clear film.

Students will be dismissed based on their answers of review questions on the Egyptian Culture and the Scarab Beetle.

This is an altered idea based on something that inspired me at a conference. The students really loved working with the variety of materials esp. the metallic paper and cellophane/laminate paper.

[K-4] Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories

[K-4] Students know the differences among visual characteristics and purposes of art in order to convey ideas

[K-4] Students select and use subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning

[K-4] Students know that the visual arts have both a history and specific relationships to various cultures

[K-4] Students understand there are various purposes for creating works of visual art

[K-4] Students identify connections between the visual arts and other disciplines in the curriculum

Ancient Egypt

Contrast, Texture

Mixed Media, Paper

History/Social Studies, Multicultural Studies