Uglydolls at OGPS

Since my 6th graders enjoyed weaving so much, I decided to continue with fabric arts and start a sewing project.  Ugly Dolls have always fascinated me from their simplicity to their unique characteristics.  I found this quick youtube clip about the artist behind the Ugly Doll sensation and had my students watch the video to see how ideas can come from mistakes and there is a learning curve with all creations.

So, let's get started!  I had the students look at various examples of Ugly Dolls and choose body shape, extremities and other details that they liked to come up with a template on an 9x12 paper.  The template was then traced in black and cut out to use on fabric (I used felt for this project but most fabrics would be fine).

Can't wait to see what this one will look like stuffed!

Fabric choice can be a tough decision!

Strand students working together to make a larger size Ugly Doll

More to come once the stitching begins!

Antique Maps

To continue on with the 3rd grade biomes unit, I presented students with this idea:  Imagine that you were cleaning out your grandmother's closet and you stumbled upon a lost map of an ancient land. That land was that of the biome you are researching.  The idea of antique maps came from this amazing website called Artisan des Arts.  I modified by putting a twist on the maps and make them specific to the biomes that each student is working on.

Students began their maps by making a compass rose.  From their we made our land forms and added shadowing along the shore lines to create a more believable map.

  Next up, we'll begin to talk about a key and some of the important features of their biomes to include on their maps.  Each student will be asked to include a minimum of two plant types, two animals and two details of their choice.  Afterwards, we'll take their maps and distress them by soaking the paper in tea and coffee grinds.  I'll see if I can get permission to burn the edges too!

Weaving

Before winter break, I started a weaving project with my middle school students.  Sixth graders worked with cardboard looms while my eighth graders made a loom from recycled ribbons.  With both groups, I had them watch this clip about weaving, showcasing the various styles and frustrations that can occur.  

Both groups really took the video and it greatly helped introduce vocabulary and techniques associated with weaving:

loom - the board

warp - the strings

closed slot weave - interlocking squares

rya - loose shag style

8th grader busy at work.

This table is having fun trying the Rya style.

Over, under, over, under. . .

6th grader getting started!

The beginnings to a fabulous closed slot weave.

Busy fingers!

Attack of the yarn!!!

I was most impressed with how many students tried all the techniques they saw in the initial video.  The closed slot weave was the most popular as many students worked intently by making these interlocking squares in their project.  Some even expanded by making flags.  What impressive results came from this weaving project!

Small, medium and large snowmen

My kindergarten students began a project focusing on shape and size.  They collaged a snowman using Small, medium and large circles with another emphasis on shadow.  We started by painting three circles on red construction paper, partly because I have an abundance of it but also to add subtle tones to the shadowing aspect.  Students then filled in their circles using white paint.  They then dipped their brush into blue paint to trace around one side of their snowman which created an easy shadow effect.  Next, came the background.  Students ripped scrap white paper to make a fuzzy line for the snow.  They glued this down and then dipped their finger into the remaining white paint to make snowflakes falling from the sky.  Once the paintings were dry, we cut out the snowman, glued it to the background and then added embellishments such as a hat, arms, eyes, mouth and a carrot nose.  They came out great and boy, did these students feel proud of themselves!