Last week and this week, the fourth graders continued to work together on their mini model community. I brought in new materials (mostly recyclable materials) as an ode to the work of Tyree Guyton and the Heidelberg Project which inspired our work.
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Last Wednesday, I shared photos of artwork I saw during a trip to Atlanta over Spring Break. I told students that while walking, I saw messages painted on lamp posts that made me stop and look. After seeing them, I instantly knew the values that this community cared about. I shared photos of a similar Mural Arts project, where a North Philadelphia school yard is decorated with signs that symbolize the value of this community. After this, the fourth graders began building their designs for their model community out of paper. I had students make sure their building would fit on their map by measuring the base. From there, students transferred the measurements onto a long piece of paper and folded the sides. Using the help of tabs, students will be able to stand their structures up, and close them. Before assembling their buildings, the fourth graders will draw or collage their original designs onto the surface. These are off to a great start! Photos of the Philadelphia and Atlanta art are included in the slide show below.
While setting up for the fourth graders, a few early students saw a preview of my lesson. After seeing the terms "parallel, perpendicular, acute, obtuse and right angles" they excitedly told me "Hey! this is what we're learning about!"
The fourth graders are working on lines and angles in math, which is a perfect segue into map making. In their groups, the fourth graders worked together to create the map/base for their 3D Community Project. I gave them a yardstick, a T-Square, a list of required types of angles/ lines and asked them to take turns drawing their streets. They were also excited to learn that each street is going to be named after a member of the group. They did an awesome job taking turns drawing streets and finishing/fleshing out their designs from before Spring Break. Next, they will being to build their structures! Last week, students wrapped up their presentations for their duck architecture project. Then, I read them the book "Magic Trash: A Story of Tyree Guyton and his Art," inspired by the true story of the Detroit native and artist, who created a public art installation out of the abandoned lots and trash in his childhood neighborhood. This initial effort drew a lot of attention, and neighbors came together to help him rebuild. Guyton's work is now known as the Heidelberg project. More information can be found at their website www.heidelberg.org.
I asked students to work together in groups and use mind maps (brainstorm on paper) to answer my guiding questions. I wanted to hear from them, what are issues they see in some Philadelphia neighborhoods? What makes a neighborhood? What makes a community? I compiled all of their written responses and categorized into three categories- issues, values and spaces they want to see. Students learned today that they will be working in groups to design a small model neighborhood that addresses 4 issues and instills 4 values, with the over arching question of how do objects, places and design shape lives and communities? Today, students individually chose 4 values and 4 issues that are important to them, and they then met with their group to share and begin the design process. There is no handbook for how theses should turn out, and I'm encouraging students to think outside the box, be innovative, creative and intentional to find ways to design and make spaces that could have a positive effect on a community. I'm looking forward to watching these unfold! Finishing these projects without presenting them would be an injustice to the hard work the 4th graders have put into designing, planning, rendering, building, painting and writing about their duck architecture buildings. Last Wednesday. the 4th graders sat back, had a snack and listened to their peers as they read their artist statement, and shared one thing they were proud of and one thing they might change. Everyone received questions and compliments before moving on. Sorry I do not have a lot of photos, my hands were busy holding student artwork as they read/ being Vanna White for the day :) The past two weeks, the fourth graders have been painting their clay models of their duck architecture style building. Since this has been a long design and development process, moving from an idea to a sketch, blueprint, final drawing and clay model, I had them fill out a reflection page to assess how they felt along the way and review new vocabulary.
This coming week, we will wrap up by having students present their finished projects to their peers. I love how they're turning out! The fourth graders have been so focused and dedicated to their duck architecture designs. Last week, they began to build a mini model made out of clay. They had a great time, working freely to build their creations. Check out the photos for a sneak peak at the finished works.
Last week, most students finished coloring their Duck Architecture designs and I asked them to write an artist statement describing their drawing. The artist statements should include the name of the building and its purpose as well as the real life size and scale they used in their blueprint.
Students who completed their statements got a head start on the "Green City, Clean Waters" contest sponsored by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. You can visit www.delawareestuary.org/2017-art-contest/ for more information. After the short break for the art contest, students will have the opportunity to present their projects and share all of their hard work! Last week, the fourth graders dove even deeper into their duck architecture designs, by continuing to work on their sketches. They're adding color, and outlining in Sharpies. They're noticeably excited for our next phase and eager to share their ideas with the class!
*I've uploaded new photos to the gallery of the progress of their drawings on 2/1/17. Not everyone is finished yet, but they're looking great! With their blue plans finished and drawn to scale, the fourth graders spent last week beginning a drawing of their building in its environment. I talked to students about adding visual texture. Students did not need to draw this copy to scale, but needed additional elements like trees, other buildings, cars, or even people to help show a sense of scale. They are off to a great start! |
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