Kindergarten Paper Sculptures

Kindergarten are finishing up these beautiful paper sculptures. Using flat paper and manipulating it to pop out from a flat base is a great way for students to understand three-dimensional form and sculpture better. Of course, we discussed how sculptures can be made from a variety materials, but our sculptures were made from paper. I demonstrated to students how to create folded tabs on the end of paper strips so the paper can be glued down. I also demonstrated twisting and accordion folding and they were very excited by this because they know from previous lessons that this is a way to create interesting textures on their sculptures. Many of them show so many lines moving around the paper that they seem to have an energy all on their own!

First Grade Clay Snowmen

First grade is currently finishing up their clay snowmen. We took a "practice" clay day using modeling clay to learn how to build the snowmen and play with ideas. To build the snowmen, students created three sizes of clay spheres, which were then formed into pinch pots and attached them together (using the scoring method- which was new information). Everyone had different details, from winter hats and scarves to hockey sticks to carrot noses. They are so cute and soon they will be glazed and have pipe cleaners for arms.

3rd Grade and 2nd/3rd Grade Mulit-Age Ceramic Leaf Forms

We are very excited about these Ceramic Leaves in 3rd grade! These leaves are not geometric, but organic forms made from clay. Clay is an excellent material to use because it challenges us to think about the spatial quality in art and requires a specific process to follow. We wedged our clay, rolled a slab, and traced the shape of a leaf using a real, "up-north" leaf. Next we added lines and texture and worked the clay into the form we wanted. They were put into the kiln, we glazed them (making sure to organize our colors and design), and now we are just waiting in anticipation for them to come back out of the kiln! More pictures to follow...