• Tin foil sheets (Purchase a box of 500 sheets of tin foil from a restaurant supply house.

Students are going to create aluminum sculptures of their favorite balance activities. You may stipulate the number of points that must be touching the ground, or leave it up to them.

Teach a variety of balance activities before this lesson. Follow up this lesson with Tinfoil Tumblers Part 2.

1. Each person receives only one sheet of foil - they must pay attention.
2. Fold the foil in half lengthwise.
3. Slowly tear out a square on the upper outside corner.
4. Tear a narrow, thin rectangle out of the bottom left - folded side.
5. Now you have the division of the head and upper arms and the separation between the legs.
6. Now you must tear a section that forms the lower part of the arms and the upper part of the legs. Remember that you have a folded person, like the old paper dolls you would cut.
7. Make the appendages very wide because you will want to roll and crinkle them to develop depth as you carefully open you creation.
8. You are allowed to use any of the pieces you tore off to develop definition or thickness.
9. The figure must balance on a flat surface when completed.

After they have formed their creations, I cut squares of poster board - 5" X 5" and had them write their name, teacher and grade on one side. I flip them over and put a clump of Elmer’s' glue for them to place their figure into. When they are dried, I displayed them on tables in the main hallway, where everyone passes. I have beautiful signs that reflected photos of the students creating and the rationale for these interdisciplinary art forms. (I used this with 3-5 students) You will not believe how creative they are. It is also neat to see other students trying the various balances!

Enjoy - it brings further credibility to our discipline!