October 17, 2016

ARTOBER NASHVILLE: Elementary Literature Focus


This year the elementary art teachers were encouraged to use literature as a jumping off point for their Artober Nashville project(s).  I used Swimmy by Leo Lionni.  In the story collaboration saves the day when the school of fish worked together.  I thought that was a great idea to translate to the whole school working together to make a beautiful instillation piece!! 
Here is the ArtoberNashville board I made as you enter our school!  There isn't a "set" theme...I just made up the Go Deep With The Arts.  I thought it was fitting for the fishy theme!!

If you don't have the book Swimmy for your classroom...GET IT!  I love many of Leo Lionni's books for the art room.  Great inspiration/jumping off points!!  I had the students use a tracer to create the fish so they were the same size. I made them double sided..so I had to have them almost the same.  

I often get wild ideas, but am not 100% sure how to accomplish them.  I originally thought about individually hanging each fish on a rod or something and then placing that in the ceiling tiles.  I quickly realized that was not going to work for MANY MANY REASONS!!  I ended up going back to my old friend, wire hangers, to hot glue the fish to & then hang it from the ceiling tile braces.


Where would I be without wire  hangers and hot glue?!!?!?  




These are only a handful...I have 16 "schools" of fish
 hanging in the lobby of our school!!
BAM! IMPACT! 

   

4 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Hello William! I use the cheapo metal hangers! I snip the long bottom part and bend them outward. I bend the curved hanger part to be a bit straighter so I can slip it into the ceiling tile bars. I hot glued the fish to the hangers!

      Delete
    2. thanks. I am going to try something similar. BTW I am loving your lessons. I have been teaching pk-5 for 3.5 years now and I still have so much to learn. Thanks again. I will probably be in touch again soon with more questions.

      Delete
    3. Any time William James!! Ask away!! tededinger@gmail.com

      Delete