making candles with soy wax

Art

• The student learned about color mixing and blending while melting and mixing the colored wax.
• They explored different shapes and textures while creating unique candle designs using molds and decorations.
• By designing their own labels and packaging for the candles, the student demonstrated creativity and personal expression.
• They learned about the artistic process, from planning and designing to execution and presentation of their finished products.

Math

• The student practiced measuring ingredients and following step-by-step instructions to ensure proportions were correct.
• They could explore concepts of volume and capacity while determining the appropriate amount of wax for various candle sizes.
• Counting and simple addition skills might be needed to determine the number of candles they are making and to calculate the total time needed for the wax to solidify.
• They can also learn about geometric shapes and symmetry when making and designing their candles.

Science

• Children learn about the properties of matter as they observe how soy wax changes from a solid to a liquid and back to a solid state.
• Through the process of melting and cooling wax, they can understand the concepts of heat transfer and changes of state.
• They may also explore the properties of different scents and how they interact with the wax.
• The activity can introduce them to the idea of renewable resources and sustainability as they learn about soy wax as an eco-friendly alternative to paraffin wax.

Encourage students to continue their creative development by experimenting with different scents and color combinations in the soy wax. They can also try making different shapes of candles using various molds and explore adding other natural materials like dried flowers or herbs for unique designs.

Book Recommendations

• The Magic Candle by Sarah S. Brannen: This story follows a young girl who learns how to make candles from scratch, exploring the art and science of candle-making.
• The Mitten by Jan Brett: While not directly related to candle-making, this classic tale features beautiful illustrations and can inspire children's artistic creativity as they imagine the scenes with candlelight.
• The Adventures of Lily Huckleberry in the Kingdom of Mermaids by Audrey Pettit: This whimsical story introduces children to the concept of creativity, imagination, and self-expression, applying to their artistic candle-making endeavors.