An elementary class explored storytelling and creativity through a lantern‑making project inspired by The Great Race, a traditional tale that explains how the calendar months came to be named after a race between 12 animals. As the story was shared, students were drawn to the lanterns featured in the narrative, sparking curiosity about how to design and make their own lanterns.
The project unfolded over time. Students made their own paint by soaking used markers in water over the course of a week, preparing the colours they would later use on their lanterns. With guidance and support, they used eyedroppers and spray bottles to apply colour, observing how the ink dripped, spread and blended across the lantern surfaces.
As colours layered and overlapped, each lantern took on its own character. The finished pieces became softly layered, one‑of‑a‑kind masterpieces that reflected both cultural learning and artistic exploration.
