Can you make a square or triangle out of natural material? Making a star is a great challenging maths creation that can be done indoors or out. The aim of it is to combine natural materials to produce a unique shape. This allows children to better understand nature, their environment and to express an interest in shapes.
Resources
- Sticks
- Secateurs
- Scissors
- String
- Double Sided Tape (optional)
- Willow (optional)
Explanation
Have 5 sticks equal sizes, and attach 1st and 2nd stick together with string (either a shear lashing or use a knot/lashing/hitch). Next connect 3rd stick to 2nd stick, repeating the process, making sure that the 3rd weaves through 1st and 2nd connecting sticks. Repeat process with 4th to 3rd and then add the last stick to the 1st stick, completing the star.
Alternatively you could attach each section with double-sided tape then attach string around that, making it look pretty for a wreath decoration.
How to make a willow star
If you use willow you may be able to just use one long willow stick and make a star by bending at certain points. Willow to be 1 m/3ft (0.91 m) long and make a fold, a third of the way along the stick. Make three more folds, equal distances apart.
Straighten the stick, and then bend it at the lowest two folds to make a triangle (like a back-to-front number 4). Feed the stick tip right through the triangle, teasing it through gently until you have made two points of a star. Loop the tip of the stick round behind the right-hand edge of the triangle and back through to make a star.
Safety Tips
Use good practice when using secateurs, and wash your hands after the activity.