Shrinky Dink Bracelet

How cute are these.  I used Shrinky Dinks to create the plastic middle on these little gems.  Here is how I worked the lesson.

Day One:

Students received a worksheet that had for spaces on it.  The spaces were the same size as the plastic shrinky dink before shrinking.  In this case, 2 inches by 5 inches.  They were to draw three ideas and present me with their #1.  I would make suggestions or approve the design and present them with a plastic sheet (shrinky dink).  They drew the design on with permanent marker.  

Day Two:

When finished up with the plastic design, the students were instructed to get the 'practice string' to try out the knots of the friendship bracelets.  As they were practicing, I was shrinking plastic in the back with a toaster oven.  I would assist in placing a hole punch BEFORE shrinking the materials.

I decided to double (actually triple) myself by recording myself making the friendship bracelet knots (two videos, one for the basic and one for the more advanced).  I explained them knots verbally once at the beginning of class and then looped the video on my Smartboard with out words.  The kids could refer to the video when they needed assistance.

Knot 1 Above

Knot 2 Above

Above is an example of what I had playing on the board for the kids.  It was very helpful!

Day 3 and 4:  It took the average student a bit over an hour to complete the two bracelets off each end of the plastic.  I would allow early finishers to make other friendship bracelets.  I also graded the bracelets before letting them take them home so I was grading those two days too.

Things I learned... I learned that the plastic part should be shorter.  I found that the length or the curve of the plastic made it week and when middle school kids took these home, many of them broke.  I would make the plastic shorter and perhaps with out the curve next time.