3rd Grade Koinobori Fish

It is the middle of May, and I was trying to find something to do with my third graders. I read somewhere about how Children's day in Japan was soon approaching. These Koinobori", carp windsocks, carp streamers or carp banners, decorate the landscape of Japan from April through early May, in honor of Children's Day (originally Boys' festival) on May 5. In Japanese culture, the carp symbolizes courage and strength because of its ability to swim up a waterfall. The Boys' Festival was an event, expressing hope that each boy in the family will grow up healthy and strong like wild carps.

Materials Needed

Liquid Watercolors (assorted)
Oil Pastels
12x 18" paper
Tissue Paper strips
Paint Brushes
Tag Board Strips ( about 1 inch wide)
Staples
Yarn
Wooden Dowels



Day 1# I gave my students some background information on Koinobori, and had them trace the koi fish templates I made. I first gave them a piece of 12x18" watercolor paper which was folded in half. I reminded students to trace their fish against the fold line, so it would create two koi fish. (symmetry). I created handouts for my students to help them know what koi fish look like. Once students cut out their two koi fish, they laid it out and started to add the eyes, scales, and other features using oil pastels. I reminded students that they need to be symmetrical (same on both sides). When students were done I had them use liquid watercolors to add even more color to their koi fish

Day #2-  When my students came to class the next time, I had them glue a tag board strip across the two mouth of their fish. They turned over their fish and added some more decorations to their fish using tissue paper, metallic paper, and metallic markers. When finished they came up to me and I stapled the two sides together (at the mouth and fins). I then  out a piece of yarn (about a foot) through the two holes and tied the yarn onto the dowel rod.