Soul Crafters Teacher Guide
FACILITATION GUIDE
September Soul Crafters
Creating cohesive 1970s Earth, Wind & Fire party decor with collaborative roles.
🪩 Session Plan
Workshop Concept
This lesson turns a standard crafting session into an inclusive, collaborative "creative department" simulation. Instead of individuals struggling alone with multi-step crafts, participants are grouped into three departments to produce spectacular, synchronized 1970s-themed decorations. By assigning specific roles matched to motor skills and strengths, everyone contributes meaningfully to an adult-grade final installation.
Mixed-Abilities Workforce Structure
1. Cutters
Action: Follow pre-drawn lines to cut base circles, spirals, and silhouettes.
Fits participants with strong fine-motor skills. Use adaptive scissors as needed.
2. Gluers
Action: Apply glue stick/tape to assemble layered flames, shapes, and records.
Fits tactile learners who enjoy assembling, matching sizes, and physical layout.
3. Decorators
Action: Draw detailing, add metallic marker accents, write lyrics, and apply starbursts.
Fits highly expressive participants, storytellers, and those with a flair for design.
Dollar Tree Shopping Checklist ($10)
- 2-3 rolls gold/silver metallic ribbon ($3.75)
- 1 pack gold/silver metallic wrapping paper ($1.25)
- 1 pack string/twine ($1.25)
- 1 pack poster board (silver/gold or black) ($1.25)
- 1 pack of balloons ($1.25)
- 1 roll painters tape (for wall mounting) ($1.25)
Standard Stock Classroom Prep
- Cardstock: Black, Orange, Yellow, Cream, Brown
- Metallic paint markers (Gold, Silver, Bronze)
- Scissors (regular & easy-grip loop scissors)
- Glue sticks & double-sided tape (No liquid glue!)
- Round containers/bowls to trace circle outlines
Room Layout: 3 Creative Stations
Divide your room into 3 physical tables before participants arrive. Equip each table with its specific Department Blueprint, paper supplies matching its palette, scissors, glue, and markers. Pre-trace critical outlines (like the large Earth circle or silhouette figures) for participants who need structural boundaries.
SEPTEMBER SOUL CRAFTERS • INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN Page 1 of 2
FACILITATION GUIDE
Workshop Pacing & Execution
🕺
60-90 Minute Pacing Guide
10M
Introduction & Role Sign-ups
Play "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire as participants enter. Present the "Overall Room Mockup" blueprint. Divide participants into the 3 Departments based on interest and allow them to choose roles (Cutter, Gluer, Decorator) within their group.
40M
Departmental Production Run
Main Crafting Phase: Hand out the Department Blueprints. Cutters cut the backing circles and swirls, Gluers mount layers together, and Decorators apply geometric patterns, lettering, and metallic lines. Facilitator roams to scaffold skills and manage flow.
20M
The Collaborative Installation
Stop work. Hand out painters tape and string. Each department brings its crafts to the designated wall sections. Follow the assembly guidelines to layer elements. Hang "Wind" spirals and 2D disco balls from the ceiling.
10M
Soul Train Celebration & Gallery Walk
Crank up the music! Have everyone stand back and take group photos holding the giant photo props (sunglasses, microphone). Run a miniature "Soul Train Dance Line" down the center of the room to celebrate their hard work.
Soulful Atmosphere & Playlist Prompts
Keep the workshop dynamic. Project the provided Overall Room Mockup image on a screen so participants can visually align their goals. Keep a continuous 70s Soul, Funk, and Disco playlist streaming at mid-volume. Use classics by Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Sister Sledge.
Best Practices for Mixed Abilities Setup
• Serrated/Spring Scissors: Stock each station with continuous-loop or adaptive self-opening scissors to support individuals with weak hand strength.
• Pre-tracing & Template Boundaries: For cutters, pre-draw bold, heavy black lines on the back of cardstock. For decorators, use light pencil marks to indicate where to stick elements.
• Job Swapping: Allow participants to swap roles if they get tired. A gluer can hand off assembly to become a decorator, or a cutter can transition into assisting with the wall hanging.
• No Stress Quality Assurance: Remind the group that slight asymmetry or hand-crafted variations are what give these decorations a highly authentic 1970s album-art character!
SEPTEMBER SOUL CRAFTERS • INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN Page 2 of 2
Department Blueprints and Job Cards
CREATIVE DEPARTMENT BLUEPRINT
01 • Disco Department
Table/Group: ______
Members: _____________________
Mission: Spin & Shimmer
Build the groove core! Create different vinyl records, 2D disco balls, music notes, and glowing starbursts to surround the center stage.
🪩
"Spin The September" Records
Cut large circles from black cardstock. Glue a vibrant circular center (orange, yellow, or cream). Decorators draw retro grooves and write tracks.
2D Shimmer Disco Balls
Cut circles from silver/gray poster board. Gluers mount them. Decorators draw a checkerboard pattern using a silver/gray marker to simulate 3D mirror tiles.
Starburst Wall Accents
Cut long, skinny, sharp triangles from gold, orange, and cream paper. Glue them around a center circle to create shimmering explosion stars.
Cascade Music Notes
Cut flat musical notes (eighth notes, quarter notes) of different sizes from black and gold cardstock. Arrange them flowing out from your vinyl records.
Step-by-Step Department Role Workflow
CUT
Cutters: Trace circular bowls on black cardstock for records. Trace smaller bowls on colorful paper for labels. Cut out music notes and long thin gold triangles for starbursts. Follow pre-drawn lines accurately.
GLUE
Gluers: Paste colorful center labels precisely onto black records. Arrange and paste starburst points evenly around center star cores. Attach strings to the backs of records and 2D disco balls for hanging.
DECO
Decorators: Use metallic markers to write custom track names (e.g., "September", "Do You Remember") on record labels. Draw checkerboards on 2D disco balls. Add metallic sheen lines to starburst edges.
SEPTEMBER SOUL CRAFTERS • DISCO TEAM BLUEPRINT Page 1 of 3
CREATIVE DEPARTMENT BLUEPRINT
02 • Earth • Wind • Fire Department
Table/Group: ______
Members: _____________________
Mission: Elemental Installations
Build the natural rhythm! Construct a large layered Earth globe, swirling wind spirals that dance with the breeze, and hot, layered flame pieces.
🔥
Layered Earth Medallion
Cut a giant blue paper circle. Overlay brown/green paper continents. Add dense, oversized forest leaves around the rim to create a rich dimensional frame.
"Wind" Hanging Spirals
Cut spiral lines into paper plates or paper circles. Pull the center down to release an instant hanging curly cue spiral. Use white, cream, and silver.
