Monster Dolls/Soft Sculptures: 4th Grade

I have a few more posts coming with these guys!!!!  I really do love all the little personalities they have.  

ENJOY LOOKING THROUGH THEM!!  

(ps..I'm still getting the storage message error/issue thing! However, by going to photo manager in microsoft (standard on our school computers)...I resize the photos to Web Large...and am able upload them. Photos below a certain size do not count against your storage)

Monster Dolls / Soft Sculptures

Sculpture is part of our curriculum for 4th grade this nine weeks.  I started with a Nevelson/found object sculpture.  The students really loved it, and I wanted to continue on with sculpture.  I used Oldenburg as the focus artist, and the kids LOVED HIM!!!!!!!!!!!  It has been more of a challenge than I anticipated.  Kids today have almost NO experience when it comes to needles/thread/sewing.  I know my situation is extremely different...growing up in Appalachia with quilters EVERYWHERE.  But a majority of these kids had NO CLUE AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This has inspired me.  This year I'm going to do plastic needle point, and I am planning on doing a button lesson(something practical I'll make artistic). If nothing else..these kids will be able to sew on a button when they leave Mr. E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

If at first you don't succeed..try try again.

???????????

What's that definition of insanity? 

What have I gotten myself into?!  I thought my 4th Graders would love to create some ugly doll "ish" type soft sculptures.  I thought...sure...no problem...they got this!!!!  Fun & interesting transition going from Louise Nevelson to Claus Oldenburg....right?!??!  Well, it has been a struggle, but each day I have high hopes it will be better.  I've made some modifications to the lesson...and that has helped.  The first day I let the children pick a shape to make a pattern of...trace it onto the burlap..and on with the lesson.  Sizes were an issue...shapes were an issue....it just did not go the way I had hoped.  SOOOOO...the next day I let them use my watercups (which are plastic tumbler cups..short and stocky) to trace out the circles. YES..I MADE THEM ALL DO CIRCLES!  It was best for all involved in this process.  I'm giving this lesson two class times....cause I think that is all I can handle! ha ha  I'll post finished pictures next week.  

SIDE NOTE:  I use to do an embroidery/quilting lesson...real needles..embroidery floss..the works!!