Ride Design

This was a project I did with first grade, resulting in much excitement and chaos! As a group, we talked about our experiences at amusement parks and playgrounds. The introduction took longer than anticipated with this talkative group, as everyone had something they wanted to share! I gave them the task, to design a new ride and sent them off to begin sketching ideas. Once the designs were drawn and coloured, students brainstormed a list of materials they might use to build a model. Out came my collection of recyclables, plasticine, straws and bottle caps- they were busy. It was so fun to watch them build and problem solve along the way. The completed models were painted using tempera paint.

We discussed how we could advertise these new rides, and looked at different theme park posters; identifying similar features. Students created posters to communicate a message, including a name for their new ride and a drawing of the completed model.

The Architects Are Back!

I keep revisiting this thematic unit each year, and finding new ways to engage students in cross-curricular STEAM learning. This year, I had the kindergarten come up with new house designs (all of our homes here in Istanbul look the same!) while the first graders did print and collage landscapes.

We began with drawing our homes from memory. Then we looked at images of different types of homes made with different materials and students described the details they observed. We made blueprints of new house designs, and the final step was to build a model. This was a great way to clear out all of the recyclables that have accumulated in our classroom! We discussed the difference between shapes and forms in creating these ideas in 3D. Once forms were glued together onto a base, students added textural details, doors and windows before painting the finished designs.

Pop Up Gallery

Around this time of year, our staff room at school could use some cheering up, and I happen to have many beautiful prints to share… so I put together a gallery display of this year’s 1st through 5th grade printmaking projects. It makes me so happy to see it all displayed and to share these finished products with the school community.

2nd/3rd Grade

4th/5th Grade

1st Grade

Collaborative Cityscape Mural

 

Architecture Prints, Take Two

I love styrofoam printing and had so many ideas for this unit on architecture with 2nd Grade!

We started by talking about famous buildings we know from our city and looking at other iconic examples of architecture from around the world. It is really neat to teach this group of TCKs. Many of them have traveled a lot in their young lives and have been to visit some of the places I showed… Needless to say, the unit introduction took a while as they all had travel stories to share!

I had the students complete two drawings of buildings- inspired from printed out images or their own ideas. Then they chose one drawing to redraw on a piece of styrofoam and cut out. The next class I demonstrated how to make a print and called them three at a time to a station at the back to make three prints. *While we were printing, the other students were working on a drawing assignment. The first print was made on a piece of coloured construction paper. The second, on a watercolour background (we painted this during a previous day as practice in making values). The third print I had the students put on a long piece of brown paper for a class cityscape mural. We ran out of time during class, so a few students did not get a chance to make a third print. I am excited to hang it up as soon as it is finished!

Artists as Architects

I was really excited to try a new unit with my elementary classes, exploring architecture in the city we live in. I have seen projects like the one we did all over the internet world. The students were really excited to talk about what architects do and learn about blueprints. We talked about buildings being designed for a purpose. I showed them photographs of neat looking modern buildings-the Art Gallery of Alberta being one of them!

Then we got busy drawing our own ideas for buildings. After this, I demonstrated drawing a grid on blue paper. I ran out of blue construction paper for my second group, so we used some paint overtop of regular white paper. I feel like I do this a lot, making do in order to carry out a grand plan! We printed the outline of our buildings using cardboard and tempera paint and then added additional details by printing with other objects. The next class, we added final details and notes for the builders using coloured pencil. One student also suggested we do a show and tell of our building plans, which many were eager to do.

My follow up lesson to this is to have them build something in groups using blocks and do observational drawings of their creations. Stay tuned!

Up and Up

This is what my classroom and the entrance to the fifth floor look like on Monday morning, beginning of week three. The walls have been freshly painted a lovely shade of lavender and the floors are polished. They tell me I will be back up there by Friday, once the electricity is hooked back up again- I am hopeful, but trying not to be too excited. I know I need to move the contents of my makeshift classroom somewhere before Friday- the space is needed for the middle school play. It will be a big job! I am happy at least to be starting fresh and really be able to put my own touch to the space!

Here are today’s finished drawings from first grade. I had them build structures with wooden blocks and draw from observation to create cityscapes. Aren’t they great with the beautiful colours added?

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