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!
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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! |
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