March is Music Month for Readingtokids.org. I have been saving decorative tins for several years, not knowing quite what to do with them. You know the kind, filled with Shortbread or a variety of European Chocolate Cookies. You may purchase these treats at various times of the year, but the winter holidays are when you really can’t resist. The tins are too nice to just throw away. However, my cupboard was overflowing with them I was just about ready to take the tins to the Goodwill and let their team repurpose them. When I searched for how to make musical instruments as a craft to go along with the book reading – Drums started beating in head! It became clear how to repurpose those tins. There were a number of good ideas for making rattles, guitars, whistles and even drums with balloons and cups. But, most of the other instruments didn’t make sounds I liked as much as the drums.
I had an old sheet that had been used as a drop cloth while painting. After a good washing there were plenty of areas that didn’t have paint stains. The sheet would make a good cover for the tin lids. The square, rectangle and circular tin covers could easily be covered with the sheet cuttings and held on with large colorful rubber bands I found at Staple’s Office Supplies. Three of the tins had an unusual shape that the rubber bands left some gaps. I used packing tape, also from Staple’s, on the inside of the lids to hold the cloth in place. The rubber bands still provided a decorative element. A tried a double layer of cloth on one to see if it made a better cover. A little trimming after the cloth was in place and you have a drum. The rubber band popped off rather easy on the small round ones. I used white glue for reinforcement to hold them in place.
But these are Dinosaur Drums! That required a little imagination and some artwork on the cloth. “The Paleoart of Julius Csotonyi: Dinosaurs, Sabre-Tooths and Beyond” by Julius Csotonyi & Steve White provided inspiration for my Dino-Drum Art. The Albertosaurus pose was perfect for the Drum. I used a 2B pencil to make the sketch and a kneaded eraser for touch-ups. An ink pen over the pencil and watercolors to finish. What do You think?
Kids from 1 to 92 can have Fun Drawing & Coloring a Dinosaur Scene on the Cloth. Be creative – use Markers, Watercolors, Glitter, Feathers – whatever brings these Drums to Life for You! Colored Paper, Stickers and more can be used to add designs to the sides of the Drums if You desire. When You aren’t Beating Your Drum, it can store your Special Treasures inside. Maybe a Dinosaur will visit You when it hears You practicing with Your New Drum!
Have Fun Drumming for Dinosaurs!
Due to the virus COVID-19, the Reading Event was cancelled for March. I look forward to when we can start our Reading Events again. I will use this Craft then. www.readingtokids.org provides volunteers the opportunity to read books to kids from K – 5th Grade at one of 8 Elementary Schools in the downtown Los Angeles Area. The books are donated to the School’s Libraries after each month’s reading event. The readings are followed by a craft that may be related to the book read or a special occasion occurring near the time of the reading. English is not the first language for some of the kids. Our readings help expose those students to English. The Teachers are involved with the book selections, that hopefully encourage their students to want more to read on their own.
As You know Schools, Libraries & Museums are closed until further notice to reduce the spread of the virus. Learning can still take place online! Your desktop, laptop & smart phone can Connect You with Resources at Libraries & Museums. Many eLearning Courses & eBooks are Available to You on a variety of Subjects. Check Out Your Libraries & Museums for their offerings. Many tips for Crafts can be found online as well. Use Your Imagination! What can You Create from Items that have been lying around Your Home just waiting to be Repurposed?
I found a Huge selection of Dinosaur Books for All ages on the Ventura County Library’s eBook selection. The same on the Camarillo Library site – 945 choices! On both sites “The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World” by Steve Brusatte among them! I have been using Steve’s book as a reference resource for many of my posts.
If You do not have a Library Card, Check Out Your Library’s website for how to obtain one online. Some websites are not as intuitive as others. Many Libraries have Staff available by phone even during the current closures, that can walk You through the online process & website.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County www.nhm.org under Research & Collections / Digitized Collections will allow you to browse their Collections.
www.scholastic.com is another free resource during School Closures. Learning journeys provided for Grades PreK – 9th.
Make use of all the Resources for eLearning, eBooks, even online Music & Movies at Your Library!
I have been providing “Raptor Eggs” (avocados) to participants of the Reading Events. I tell the kids Raptor Eggs look and taste just like avocados. I donated the avocados that couldn’t go to this month’s Reading Event to Food Share in Oxnard. They provide Food to those in need in Ventura County. Now more then ever is a Time to Support these types of Organizations in Your Area and Benefit from their Services if You are in Need.
Stay Safe & Well.
My First Book “Is a Metal Dinosaur the Right Pet for You?” is Available as an eBook on Kindle through Amazon.com!
Included are two photos of Prehistoric Pals converted to black & white line drawings for You to express Your Color Imagination! Search online for print options on Your device. Print Screen, Cropping & Printing are available on many smart phones. Your smart phone may even allow You to email Your Print Screen to Yourself allowing even more options before printing. Kindle has an app for smart phones!
I would love to see Your Color Visions for Dominic & Raphael! Use crayons, pencils, pens, or watercolors! Attach feathers, glitter whatever brings them to life for You. Send a picture of Your Colorized Imaginations to: paul@paulsprehistoricpark.com It could be in a future post!
I will keep You posted with information on my Next eBook “The Shy Triceratops”. I hope to have Paperback versions available later this year.
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
Your feedback is appreciated, comment below or email:
paul@paulsprehistoricpark.com
Thank you!