| Why?
Make a decorative replica that's beautiful
enough to display in the Palace of Versailles, where the Sun King lived and
reigned.
The King of France, Louis XIV,
who enlarged the Chateau (Palace) of Versailles was known as the Sun King. He became
king when he was only 5 years old! Find out why he was called the Sun King, where
Versailles is located, and other information about this famous king. Suggested Curriculum: | Grades | Subject | 1 -
3 | 4 -
6 | 7 -
12 | Special
Needs | Language
Arts | | | | | Math | | | | | | Science | | | | | | Social
Studies | | 
| | | | Visual
Arts | |
| | |
Benefits - Students
research information about the French King, Louis XIV, including the dates of his
reign, the origins of his name the Sun King, and details about the Chateau of
Versailles.
- Students create a clay replica of a sunburst,
including details on the face and rays.
Crayola®
Supplies | Other
Supplies | Acrylic Paint | craft
sticks | Air-Dry Clay | paper
towels | Paint Brushes | recycled
newspaper | Premier™ Tempera, Gold | rolling
pin | | toothpicks | | water
containers |
Directions
- Create the sun's face. With the
palms of your hands, roll Crayola® Air-Dry Clay into a Ping-Pong ball size. Flatten
it on a clean, washable surface to form the sun's
face.
- Using your fingers and small bits of clay, add the eyes,
nose, and mouth. You can use a toothpick to help shape the features. To attach the
pieces, make small X's (cross-hatches) on the face where you want to place the
pieces and also on the piece itself. Wet with a damp finger and
attach.
- Make the rays. Roll out a baseball-size amount of clay
with a rolling pin. With a craft stick, cut out leaf-shaped rays. With a toothpick,
draw lines on each leaf to form ribs and veins. Attach rays to the sun. Add more
decorations if you like. Air-dry the clay at least 3 days.
- Cover
your art surface with newspaper. Decorate the sunburst with gold Crayola®
Premier™ Tempera and Paint Brushes. Air-dry the paint overnight.
Adaptations - Use
recycled boxes and other items to make a replica of the Palace of Versailles.
Include the gardens as well.
- Create a map identifying the
locations of this and other French castles.
- Assessment:
Students write highlights of Louis XIV's life to display along with their
Golden Sunburst.
Safety Guidelines
By its nature, wood is rough and may cause
splinters. Model Magic® and other modeling compounds: Keep
finished product away from open flame. Do not mold into candleholders or other like
items for use around flame. Do not put in oven, microwave, or
kiln.
Wash your hands well with soap and water after you complete your
project. Related Resources
Books:
Clay Modeling: Step
by Step, by Gretta Speechley
Hot Air: The Mostly True
Story of the First Hot Air Balloon Ride, by Marjorie Priceman
Palace of Versailles: France's Royal Jewel, by Linda
Tagliaferro Games:
Slide &
Solve, World Flash Cards from Crayola Rocket Minds™
Time
Machine Multiple Ways to Tell Time from Crayola Rocket Minds™
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