Thursday, June 12, 2014

hip to be square.

The 5th graders are going retro this week. Some with a sculpture project and others with a collage project. 3 classes are creating space invader wood block sculptures that are inspired by the video game and the sculptures of Jason Torchinsky. The other 3 classes are creating abstract collages inspired by the geometric forms from minecraft and other 8-bit video games.


Both projects have been big hits.

A few things to think about...

1. Make sure, when starting a grade level sculpture project, that you have enough supplies. (I realized halfway through that I wouldn't have enough wood blocks, so hello minecraft;)
2. Expect a noisy class when the kids are working in teams on sculpture projects. I'm totally cool with it, but the classroom can get energized.
3. Have plenty of paper squares cut for a collage project that requires many 1" squares for 34 students per class.
4. On the same note, make sure your paper cutter is well oiled, so it won't be so darn irritating on your ears throughout the lesson.











 I love the planning to make the arms work:)

 Nice job keeping their classmates clean:)





















15 comments:

  1. How did you demonstrate the planning step for the portraits? I see you used grid paper, but how did they begin? I like this and I'm having trouble visualizing the early stage of transferring the head to squares. It will probably be much easier for all the minecraft aficionados.

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    1. Hope, I shared a few samples that I found online first. After that, I modeled doing one (my selfie) and talked about counting out blocks to make the head big enough (an easy math tie in that could be followed up on an exit slip) and using a step pattern to round out shapes. I suggested getting the head shape figured out first and then adding eyes, mouth, hair, etc. With examples posted, most kids got the concept surprisingly well:)

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  2. Did the students draw the grid lines themselves?

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    1. Hi there:) We used graph paper that had 1" squares on it already. They had to do a little measuring, but I didn't want making the grid to be the emphasis. I think there would have been A LOT of frustration amongst the students if I did!

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  3. Did the children measure and cut the coloured squares themselves or did you have lots of colours pre-cut?

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  4. Did the children measure and cut the coloured squares themselves or did you have lots of colours pre-cut?

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  5. Thanks A BUNCH!! my students enjoyed (LOVED) the process and so did I!! You Rock!!

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  6. I love this, but I'm so scared of cutting all those squares! Did you cut them before or have the kids do it?

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    1. I used my big in class paper cutter to do some bulk cutting. You can do it!

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  7. i made the mistake of mentioning this project to one of my 4th grade classes now I have one student asking every class period if we are doing this. I promised him we would before the end of the year. We will try and give this a go.

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  8. I am so excited to try this project with my 5 the graders would you be willing to share your lesson or any scaffolds with me at curcioartroom@gmail.com. I would appreciate any help I could get!,,

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  9. Hi! Excited to try the collage project. Where did you get your graph paper?

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    1. I was wondering the same thing about where to get the graph paper. Thank you. Awesome project!!!

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