Using cardboard squares to make sculptures -fourth grade

         Seems almost too simple. Give kids access to hundreds of 3"x3" squares, masking tape and scissors and teach them how to combine the squares to make a cube, then, let them loose. The only limitation I give them is that they build their structure on top of a cardboard base. 

         Here students are beginning to explore making cubes and beyond. 



Once kids work with masking tape 1-2 classes they become experts are cutting it with their fingers. 

Next, students use glue to solidify the sculpture in place. 

I like to dispense my glue in cups with a brush. I have dozens of Playdough cups left over and they make great "glue-cups".

             Before I move forward into allowing them to paint their sculptures. Students get a demonstration on making secondary and tertiary colors. On the inside part I also demonstrate how colors change when white is added and what happens when black is added. Giving students the option to making their own colors is so exciting for them. 

Notice the light blue color below. The young artist had to mix blue and white to make this light blue color. 

students get a palette of 6 colors to detail their work. Red, blue, yellow, white, brown and brown. With these colors they can make any number of new colors. 

            Last, in every unit students are asked to write about their work. Here they are writing about their work in Spanish and using dictionaries and each other to translate any words they do not know in Spanish. 



Some examples of their final pieces. When you give students the option to choose their own ideas and work with their own ideas to make their art the process is a much more rigorous one. Instead of the teacher coming up with the idea, the student has to search inside themselves for ideas, innovations, and answers. 


When you allow students freedom in choosing their own subject matter, even if they all have the same medium (and in this case they do), students are the artists... instead of the teachers providing the idea behind the work, that task now belongs to the child. 
Here are some finished pieces. 

More finished pieces...















I had a chance to display all the sculptures and allowed other classes and 4th graders come and enjoy seeing the work alongside their writing. I was amazed and surprised how interested the other students were to fins out more about the work they were seeing. Kids went from artwork to artwork reading each statement. 

Each art paired with the writing piece by a number. 

paper sculpting with kindergartners

Second grade cube sculpture unit- with an emphasis on group work

 

This is a 3-D construction unit is aimed at teaching second graders how to make simple geometric forms by combining simple geometric shapes using masking tape and cardboard. One of the main objectives besides explode to 3d construction is learning how to work together in a group and learning to work around social difficulties that might arise in the decision-making process. No matter what you become when you grow up you will need to be able to get along with one another and work with all types of people. What better place to practice getting along with others than school? I have done this unit in the past (see link to past unit HERE and HERE) and I have learned that the struggle that happens as kids learn to work together is a bit tense, yes, but the struggle is one in which kids learn so much from. I had kids in tears trying to come to a decision on what to make with their cubes turn around 10-12 minutes later and not only find a compromise, but also feel amazing that they arrived at a successful compromise on their own. So as a teacher, it's important to guide the process but to not rush to resolution, especially not one that you assist with. Kids will only derive pride and excitement out of ideas THEY generate. 

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Once kids have made one cube the gate is open and now they can begin to mass produce cubes in their designed groups. For this unit and for the objectives I have for them I assign them what groups they will work in. It's imperative that they learn to collaborate with peers they might not always socialize with daily. Only in creating such an environment will you best mimic what they will deal with in their own jobs, future group projects or even in their future living environments, such as in college.

 

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If you would like me purchase my powerpoint presentation for this unit please send $5.00 via PayPal to Miriam.Cutelis@yahoo.com and specify what language (Spanish or English) you would prefer and which email you'd like the presentation emailed to.  Once I share the presentation with you via Google Docs you can copy and change, add or delete any slides to fit your needs. The presentation will be sent to you within 24 hours of purchase.