Children's Prayers for the World

 I love this project that Barbara Mendence, a 2nd grade teacher at our school, does with her students each year!  Not only is this a fun art lesson, but it makes for a great geography lesson and culture study as well.  Armed with a list that includes all the countries of the world, her class commits to praying for every country over the course of the year.  As they work through their list each day, they also find the countries on their map and learn some interesting facts about them.  At the end of the school year, each student paints the earth and writes their own "Prayer for the World"..... a precious keepsake!!!

Materials:

• 9x12 black construction paper
• 9x12 white construction paper (heavy-weight), or watercolor paper
• White tempera paint
• Paint brush or old toothbrush
• Watercolors and brush
• scissors
• glue stick
• Pencil and black "F" Sharpie

Directions:

1. Cover your work area with newspaper, then splatter some white tempera paint onto your black paper using either a paintbrush or an old toothbrush.  Set aside to dry.

2. Trace a large circle onto your white paper (a mixing bowl works great).

3. Look at a map or globe for reference, then lightly sketch some continents inside your circle.

4. Use blues and greens to paint your circle to look like the earth from space.

5. When dry, cut out your earth and glue it onto your black paper.  Lightly pencil in a few horizontal guidelines across it, if you want.

6. Write your prayer for the world on a separate paper, then copy it carefully onto your painted earth and trace your finished prayer with a black "F" Sharpie.

The Kinderart site also offers a similar project, using coffee filters, washable markers and spray bottles with water... I haven't tried this method, but it looks like it might be a good option for younger kids!