Our intermediate and middle school classes have been creating art about the plants and animals of different biomes. Students in 5th grade and middle school had the opportunity to select the plant of their choice, and choose materials to build it from. Students could choose from sewing, paper cutting and folding, or paper maché. Below you can see images of these students starting to build their projects!
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Third grade students have also been focusing on biomes, taking a deep dive into the ecosystem of a coral reef. Students have been using cardboard, newspaper, tape, and paper mache to build different types of coral. Some of the types students have selected are: bubble coral, staghorn coral, and tube coral. Once the coral structure (armature) was built, we used paper maché glue and shredded newspaper to create a thick paper and glue shell. Students put 1-2 layers of newspaper, and then the final layer was colored construction paper and glue. This allowed the projects to have a bright final color before moving onto other materials. Third grade students had to choose a warm or cool color scheme for their coral. Stay tuned for the final products! This year our intermediate and middle school classes have been focusing on the plants and animals of different biomes. Fourth grade students have selected trees from their chosen biome, and are using wires, cardboard, and newspaper to build them. Once built, the students are using paper maché, clay, and tissue paper to create solid mini-tree sculptures.
Step 1: Plan your tree. Depending on the biome students have chosen, they may have had many trees to choose from. Students focusing on the Savannah may have chosen the African Baobab, the Jackelberry tree, or the Acacia Tree. In the Arctic Tundra, students instead may have selected a type of pine tree, such as a spruce or fir tree. Whatever tree they chose, students sketched a plan, and mapped out the materials they would be using. Step 2: Build your armature. Using wire, newspaper, tape, and cardboard, students began to build their tree armatures. For a base, I gave students plastic planters. Some students elected to bring in rocks to place at the bottom of their planter for balance, keeping their trees from tipping. Students worked as "table teams" to ensure that each person at a table always could count on their partners to help them build. This part of the project often needed two sets of hands to complete. Step 3: Paper Maché We used Elmer's Art Paste, a glue powder that can be mixed with water to make a perfect watery paper maché glue. Students then dipped shredded newspaper into the glue, and wrapped it around their projects to create a thick paper and glue shell. Students put 1-2 layers of newspaper, and then the final layer was colored construction paper and glue. This allowed the projects to have a bright final color before moving onto other materials. Stay tuned for the final products! |
Ms. KatzenbachMs. "Katz" is a teaching artist, with specialties in painting and video. She graduated from the University of Illinois with both a bachelors and a masters in Art Education. This will be Ms. Katz's 8th year teaching at O.T. Bright Elementary School. Archives
June 2019
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