Bee invasion

In second grade we are making a model of a bee using tape, paper, wire and see-through plastic. The objective behind making these small models are to practice the process of combining simple 3d forms to create more complex forms. Once they have this down, we can take what we have learned to make our GIANT insects out of recycled materials. 

I had an assortment of wire in class, therefore, you will see quite a variety, from rolled paper, pipe cleaners, colored wire all the way to stiff metallic wire. 


Parents, friends and even neighbors have donated, over the years, tons of materials that I constantly use in the art room. One of those items are sheer plastic sheets, like the kind we use for reports. My colleague, Susan Tremblay, suggested these would make great wings and I am forever grateful to her for such a spot-on suggestion. 









Next, students will cover their entire bee with glue and wait a few days for it to dry and become super stiff. Once stiff, the sculpture will be ready to be painted. Here they are, drying off after a coat (or two) of plain Elmer's glue. 







We painted our bees yellow with acrylic paint. 









The next day we used sharpies and paint to add the eyes, wing lines and iconic bee stripes. 


























Here they are...ready to dry off for the week. Next week we will work with cardboard to make a hive using hexagons. 




Some final products.