This Week In Art...Recycle, Reuse, Reduce

As artists we can also show who or what we care about through the materials we choose to use.  We were looking at the work of various artists who find inspiration from items that have been discarded. Our discussion involved asking questions about why an artist would choose items like this as opposed to newly bought materials.  

I know we have a lot to compete with... all of the technology and resources available to kids today.  But I can't say enough about how much they enjoyed the creative process of taking simple materials and transforming them into imagined creations. Just check out the video below to see for yourself...

some are still in progress!

I'll post more as they finish...

Student Talk

The volcanoish birdhouse

(Click on link above)

This group of 3rd graders met a lot of challenges with their materials.  Nevertheless, a volcanoish birdhouse surfaced.  As before, the were limited to only a few basic supplies that were on the table.  But then again, creativity is limitless.

New Eyes Part Two

First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.

Napoleon Hill

source

So it was a lot of fun working on these recycled sculptures, and not just for the kids!  It was great listening to all of their different ideas and seeing them come to life.  In case you didn't catch the previous post, the groups were given a box with a few items that could be repurposed in some way.  From that point on they were left to their own devices!

All sculptures are from first grade

Robot

Minnie Mouse Christmas

House with Windows and Waterfall 

Bird Nest with Eggs

Guy In City

Airplane with Passengers

Tank

New Eyes

There are many ways in which we can show respect.  Words, thoughts, actions.
There are many ways we can show respect as artists.  The idea of re-purposing or re-using materials to create something new pushes us to see familiar objects in new ways.  We see with the eyes of an artist; we see  lines, shapes, space, textures and forms.  
And all the while,  new ideas arise, new connections are made. 

Exploring Big Concepts in Art...Respect

First Grade Artwork

K-5 is exploring the concept of Respect.  

We started with the central idea being:

As artists, we can show who or what we care about through the art we create. 

We first looked at some Winslow Homer pieces and the students came to their own conclusions 

as to what he may of respected or cared about.  Some responses were:

nature

children

the idea of play

peacefulness

art

the ocean

We then made a connection to ourselves by having conversations and asking questions:

What do you care about and respect?

How do you show you respect that particular thing?

Can we only respect people?

Can we respect objects, places, ideas?

Each student then created a piece based on respect. 

I respect astronauts because when they go to other planets the come back and help
us learn about them

I respect learning about dinosaurs, I learn  a lot about them

My mom, I use kind words with her and we help each other

My fish,  I feed her everyday

My family

The mountains

I respect a tree

My toys, I follow the directions and put them away in the basket

My family

My friend Adekunle, I treat him nicely

I respect trees, they are alive like humans

I respect my sister because she makes me think I can do anything in the world...