Magical Courtly Structure

Why

Build an imaginative fortress, castle, or chateau using Crayola® Model Magic®.


Steps

1. Find out what materials, designs, and construction methods were used to build castles beginning in medieval times. Then imagine ways to whimsically embellish some of the features. Can towers be topped with shimmering hearts? Could the outside walls be colorful?


2. Work with three partners to design a playful Magical Courtly Structure with colored Crayola® Model Magic®. Start with a base of cardboard, foam board, or chipboard. Use straws or other items as structural supports.


3. Experiment with different ways to create color effects.

  • Blend white and colored compound to create tints, or mix colors and black to make shades.
  • Blend two primary colors (red, yellow, blue) together to produce a secondary hue (orange, green, violet).
  • Create a marble effect by incompletely blending different colors.
  • For multi-colored layers, flatten two or more pieces of Model Magic by hand or with a rolling pin or dowel stick. Stack the pieces flat on top of each other and roll tightly like a cinnamon roll. Cut segments with Crayola Scissors. Connect pieces to make forms.


    4. Try various methods to construct forms for the main castle, outdoor stairs, chimneys, as well as stables, courtyards, a chapel, and moat.

  • Towers and turrets: Roll out Model Magic with a rolling pin or dowel to about 1/4-inch thick. Bend the flat piece to form a cylinder. Poke or cut holes for windows. Allow the form to stiffen slightly. Meanwhile, roll out smaller amounts and bend into cone shapes for the roof. Place on top of the tower.
  • Walls and curtain walls: Roll out Model Magic and cut into rectangles with scissors. Attach walls to towers or other walls. Cut slots for drawbridge arms.
  • Embellishments: Cut small shapes for shingles, crenellations, stones, merlons, or other architectural details. Roll spheres and apply to walls and towers for decoration. Roll thin coils and glue around window openings.


    5. Use Crayola School Glue or dampened fingers to secure pieces as needed. Design and leave a mason's mark (a symbol for each partner) in one of the castle's "stones." When the castle is complete, use Crayola Washable Glitter Glue to decorate it and add magical sparkle.


    Safety Guidelines

    Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.

    Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough With Small Parts— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—

    • Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
    • Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
    • Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
    • If the arts & crafts project involves making small objects, follow the small parts/choking hazards standards: WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years."
    • The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
    • Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
    • Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient. Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic, and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.

    Glitter Glue— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Not for use on skin.

    Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

    Wood—By its nature, wood is rough and may contain splinters or sharp points

    Adaptations

    • Write a story about the imaginary castle's construction, everyday life, and history. Be sure to mention various parts of the castle such as keeps, bulwarks, and drawbridges and the many people who lived there.
    • Plan and eat a feast fit for kings and queens. Find out what castle residents ate (bread, onions, cheese, pickled vegetables, dried meat, honey) and how it was served and eaten.
    • Design a coat of arms-or better yet find out if your family already has one. Research its meaning, or create one that reflects family history.

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    • Lesson Plans

     

    Supplies

    crayola supplies
    • Model Magic®
    • No-Run School Glue
    • Glitter Glue
    • Pointed Tip Scissors
    household supplies
    • rolling pin
    • cardboard
    • plastic drinking straws
    • dowel stick

    Overview

    grades

    • Grades 4 to 6
    • Grades 7 to 12

    subjects

    • Language Arts
    • Social Studies
    • Visual Arts

    time

    • 30 to 60 minutes
    • Multiple Sessions

    benefits

    • Students refine their research skills by seeking information on various styles, construction methods, and histories of architecture from medieval times until present.

    • Children work collaboratively in groups of four to create an imaginative 3-dimensional fortress, castle, or chateau.

    • Students explore ways to create color effects and construct forms with modeling compound. Each student designs a personal stone mason's mark, much like a painter who signs a painting, and imprints it on the castle.

    Cirriculum

    Research Canada Standards
    Research UK Standards
    Research U.S. Standards