Functional Paper Making: Recycled Art in Elementary

Students creating the base of their bowls (2nd grade)

      For Earth Day I wanted to incorporate recycling within art but honestly... recycled art looks like trash glued on a board 90 % of the time when done by kids. Over the semester I have been collecting every tiny scrap paper I could get my hands on.  The kids and teachers know of my "hungry hungry scrap box" and help me with this process.  After separating the colors out it was time for paper making!  All you have to do is blend paper and water in a blender, strain and slightly squeeze out the water.  You will end up with a mushy pill of pulp.  After a couple times you'll get the hang of how much water to paper (more water is better).

It is important to build the base of the bowl first.  Each color should be applied in a small pinch or ball.  Once the entire bowl has been made with the little balls of paper pulp you can press it, linking the fibers. Once dry you can paint with glue, harden, and pop out.  These bowls will stand on their own! They are even strong enough for a set of keys to be placed inside.

This is a great end of the year project to use up all those scraps or even right round Earth Day, focusing on recycling.  I used an AWESOME video talking about paper.  Where it comes from, how it is made, invented, recycled, and even more!  Check it out HERE.

In progress paper bowl (2nd Grade)

The kids had a blast! They almost can't believe that what they made comes from the materials too many of us toss from day to day.


Important vocabulary:

Paper Pulp

Fibers
Pattern
Texture

****Special Credit to Kim Furstenberg of Ayden Elementary for the wonderful inspiration.  She created paper bowls with holes in the side, making them into tambourines for the music element.

Critiquing in the Elementary School Art Classroom

Too often students are not taught how to look at art, know its purpose, see the elements and principles, and how to talk about art.  Getting the students especially in the elementary school classroom to do this is like pulling teeth. But why not make it fun? My students are learning how to do these things through an art critique.  Yes, I know they are only in elementary school, but it is never too early to understand why something looks nice.

Each student is given 3 critique cards. These are used like casting votes for pieces.
       - Frame: The piece they would put in a museum.
       - House: The piece they would put in their house.
       - Money:  The piece they would sell.

To see slideshow and full details go to : Critique slideshow.

Once votes have been cast, a class discussion is started.  The kids have so much fun with this.  It is different from the normal art class they are used to.  Check out my lesson (**link to come) and slideshow for full details.  I modified this idea from something a professor in college taught me.  Honestly, at the time I thought it was a dumb idea, but after talking with the kids and spending more time with them, I am realizing how genius it really is.

Tell me what you think!  Would you change anything?

Roll A Face Game

Sometimes in the art classroom certain classes get ahead, while others seem to always be behind.  I came up with this filler to help even out the classes. The kids had a blast!  They roll dice to create a face. Children take turns rolling the dice, first one to a complete face wins!  I gave examples at the front of the room of different kinds of noses, mouths, eyes, and hair.  This encouraged them to do something other than an "L" nose.  Trying it with K/1 was a bit difficult, but it would work wonderfully with the older kids!

Materials needed:
2 dice per team
head template

You can download the directions and template: HERE

Sub Plans: I'll Take The Cake

The paperwork has taken a little longer than expected, so I will officially start tuesday! But in the meantime I had to create a sub lesson.  I don't want to overload the sub.  I found this video while browsing printerest. It is great! All the sub has to do is follow the directions on the video while the students learn about Wayne Thiebaud. I changed the assignment by having them use colored pencils.

You can find my pinterest board for sub plans here.