The Giraffe: Lesson 3

Lesson Videos

Supplies Used in this Lesson

Color Swatches

Supplies

Helpful Tips

I recommend this project for students in the 4th grade and above. Even so, this project should only be done with adult supervision. The acid should only be applied by an adult with rubber gloves and safety glasses. If you are using glass that has a sharp edge, then cover the edge with masking tape before doing this project. We don’t want anyone to get cut.

You can use any contact paper that is self-adhesive. I would prefer a mat finish because you can easily draw on it with a pencil. I would also prefer a clear or light color. You probably do not want to use black because your design would be almost impossible to see.

When using an X-ACTO knife, make sure it is sharp in order to cut through the vinyl easily. The less sharp your knife is the more apt you are to cut yourself with the knife.

I use these knives in my classes all the time for grades 4 and up and have seldom had anyone cut themselves. But they must be used with care and adult supervision.

I would say that the biggest struggle my students encounter with this project is that they try to cut with the tip of the knife rather than the side. Don’t hold your knife at a 90 degree angle with the vinyl. Even though the tip is sharp and could poke a hole in something, it is not intended to be used to cut. Just angle the tip down a bit and you will easily cut the vinyl.

It might be helpful to practice cutting on a scrap piece of contact paper.

When applying the vinyl to the glass, carefully lay down one edge of the vinyl and slowly lay it down on the glass rubbing the bubbles out as you lay it down. If there are some bubbles left don’t worry about them. Your project will still work. However, if you have large bubbles underneath the vinyl then I would encourage you to lift it back up and redo. The back has plenty of adhesive so it will still work for you.

At the end of the project clean your glass with alcohol or glass cleaner.

Project Images

Lesson Highlights

Student Showcase

Sampling of masterpieces Sharon’s students have created after being taught the material included in this project.

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