4th Grade Masks

I  have truly love the masks my 4th graders have created.  From the think sheets to their final creation...it has been wonderful to watch the students develop & implement their own unique ideas.  They have been excited each time they've come to art to get started since I introduced the lesson. 
THAT!  That is a sign of a successful project!

Paper Mache Made Easy(ish)

I decided to skip my "Ugly Doll" lesson with my 4th graders this year for multiple reasons, but wanted to have something fun, exciting, affordable, and where they would find a great deal of success no matter the ability level.  I decided to do paper mache masks!  I've not done this project in a number of years, but am excited to see it progress.  This week is just the 1st stage.  We start the lesson with a Power Point on masks from around the world We looked at & discussed functional, decorative, ceremonial, and party masks.  After that intro we jumped into creating the base of the mask.  My plan is next week that we'd start the class with a "think sheet" so they could come up with their idea for their mask & plan it out before going any farther with the base.

I scored  roll of paper towels to use for the paper mache.  I know I could have used news paper, but the softness of the paper towel allows for a much smoother surface.  

I'm using foam faces I acquired from a district art camp I did many many years ago.  I cover them with aluminum foil for a few reasons.  It protects the Styrofoam. It makes clean up easier.  It adds support and you pull the masks off the face forms.  Because I need to create with a new class each day...I have to pull the paper mache faces off before they are 100% dry.  The aluminum gives it a bit more support. 

I use liquid starch for the adhesive.  It is affordable, easy to clean up, and works well!!

This is what the back looks like once I pull it off the form.

Here is a front view of the paper mache.

I have students paper mache their name on at the very end so we can keep track of who's is who's. 

Thinking about brushing on a coat of Mod Podge Matte finish to make sure everything stays in place.  

Multicultural Fair Project

Last night was our Annual Multicultural Fair!  

SO MUCH FUN!!!!!

  I have a video & some pictures sharing my part in this fun & successful school event!

After watching the video & looking through the pictures & descriptions...please feel free to contact me if you have questions about doing a project like this at a special event! I'm always happy to help!

I precut mask shapes out of cardstock paper that had been donated. The only thing it cost was some time.  I also filled up bowls with some crayons, markers, and a few odds & ends that had been donated.  I was trying to keep this from coming out of my supplies I use for the students.

I drew a couple large mask shapes for people to dot when they were waiting to be seated or after they finished their own mask.  The dotters were sent to me to test & the paper was given to me buy a local business....so once again...not coming out of student supplies/art budget.

Dotting Away!! 

Some finished fabulous masks!

Even some parents got into it!!! ha ha  

Here are the finished large masks!!  (now hanging in the hallway!

Tiki Time: 2nd Grade

This is the first day of a two day project.  My 2nd graders were looking at Tiki Masks...and other Pacific Island masks as inspiration.  We used a full 12x18 sheet of brown paper to start with.  We used white tempera & gouache to bring our Tiki Masks to life!  Day two we'll add some more details & clean up edges. 

African Masks Painted: 4th Grade

   

If you've been trekkin' with me on the Found Object African Inspired Masks...here are the results of painting.  Part of me would love to give them one more day to "refine" them...but I'm not sure I really have time to do so this nine weeks.  They are fun though...and the kids have REALLY enjoyed them.  Their classroom teachers have been telling me that the kids couldn't wait to get to art this week!!  I love that I've been able to provide a project they are that excited about.  

http://www.artwithmre.com/2014/10/african-inspired-found-object-masks.html

 

African Inspired Found Object Masks

Let me say...I thought this project was going to be the death of me after yesterdays attempt.  First, we were short a special area teacher...so all our classes the whole day were about 6 students larger(yes..all our classes are setting between 20 & 25 students).  This was the first time I used found objects in such a way to create a mask armature.  This was the first time I had used plaster strips in a full class size setting.  This was the first time I though...the men with the white coats are coming to get me!!!!  Let me share the idealized version of this project with you!  However, please know...it wasn't a pretty picture yesterday!?!?!?! ha ha

This nine weeks 4th grade has a "found object" sculpture.  I thought that this would be a perfect time for an African inspired mask!  We watched a YouTube video about African masks the first week.  We then discussed the purpose & functions of masks.  Students had to decide on a "purpose/theme" for their mask.  They then drew a sketch to prepare themselves for creating it the following week.  I also had them write at least three sentences telling me about their masks meaning and purpose.  

For the next class time, I had students bring in supplies/found objects for the project.  That went so-so....lucky I had a bunch stored up in an empty room next to mine!!  I made a "BUFFET" of supplies they could select from.

Before students were allowed up to the "BUFFET"...they had to look at their mask sketch and think about the shapes to forms aspect...and decide what would be best for creating that. 

They had scissors & tape to work with back at their tables.  With it being plaster wrapped...securing the pieces onto the cereal box board was important, but did not have to be "overdone".  The first day's group really struggled with building up and out with their mask.  They were still thinking 2-D/Flat.  I had not used the plaster strips in this setting....so when I cut them...I cut them too small.  This caused the students to struggle.  They had a difficult time covering their forms completely.  The plaster wrap would get smooshed up and they weren't able to flatten it out again.  There was plaster EVERYWHERE!  Floor, tables, students...and some on their masks.  After they left...I had a planning period..so I tried to cover the spots they did not....and I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. UGH!  I really questioned if I would be able to carry on with this project the rest of the week.

These are pretty sweet...right?!?!!!  This was today's group(the second class to try them).  The whole class time went amazingly well!!!!  I had to do nothing else to ANYONE'S mask!!  The students did all the clean up.  It was a totally different experience.  I'm now excited about this project....though...we'll see how tomorrow goes?!!?!? ha ha  Can't wait to paint them and add embellishments.  Will post more pictures as this project progresses.  

Reduce, Reuse, Re IMAGINE: 2nd Grade

The students loved the milk jug masks.  The parents loved the milk jug masks. Mr. E may never do the milk jug masks again!!!!!!  Ha ha ha   I loved the project...and loved that the kids loved the project so much!!!  However, my room smelling like sour milk, milk jugs EVERYWHERE, and the work of cutting each one down.....not so much!  If I would have not had a student teacher...I'm not sure I would have even attempted this!  They do look great though.....hmmm....maybe.  

EXCITED!!!

The all school art show is coming soon....and I'm so EXCITED!!!

The projects are different from anything we've done before...and I think it's going to be AMAZING!

Milk Jug Masks : 2nd Grade

The milk jug mask project is coming along nicely!  They are going to have one more class time beyond this to tighten up some of the details.  The kids are loving them...but I'm not sure about doing this project again next year.  We may not cut the jugs next year..and do totem poles!  

Experimenting With New Projects: Teacher Examples

I love to try out new ideas...new projects!  I get bored doing the same ol' same ol' !!!!  Having student teachers allows me the chance to experiment....either because my student teacher is bringing new ideas that I'd like to try, during our time ideas get sparked for new projects or new ways to try old projects, or I see something on blogs/Pinterest that I want to see if they'd work in my room.  Here are my latest experiments in the laboratory of Mr. E!!

This was a Pinterest find.  I used acrylic..and then a tempera varnish over top of it to help the paint from getting scratched off.  I warn you...this project is extremely labor intensive!  If you were working with middle/high school...they could do the cutting, but I do not feel that the earlier elementary ages would do the best at cutting the milk jug down.  We're doing this with 2nd grade...and are excited about the end result.  Hopefully worth all the work. The students started this week...so pictures of their work coming soon.

My third graders are creating collagraphs.  As I was observing my student teacher...I started cutting some of the left over cereal boxes.  I thought..."Wonder what it would be like to paint it black(tempera) & then use oil pastels on top?!?!"  Here is the answer.  I really like the look.  We're going to try it...stay tuned.

Our 4th graders have been working on an architecture unit this nine weeks. We went from 2 point perspective...to the clay facades...and now this.  We used St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow as our inspiration.  This project has many components.  If you venture to try this...give yourself two class times.  (TIP: You'll need to have them start the class with their watercolor sky to allow it time to dry.)

In cutting the milk jugs for the mask project...I've been contemplating what I could use the rest of the jug for?!?!  After cutting the back half off...I threw it down on the table on top of a book I was looking at.  I noticed I could easily see through the milk jug , and thought..."hmm...monoprinting?"  I found a section that was flat and cut that out.  After drawing a Koi in Sharpie...I placed the milk jug on top & used water soluble oil pastels to color it..finishing it off with black to define the shape.  I sprayed the paper with water..and then pressed the milk jug onto the surface.   In the picture...bottom left is drawing in sharpie...top middle is the piece of milk jug with oil pastel ...bottom right is the monoprint.  

(TIP: Wash off the milk jug piece when you are finished & you can use it again and again!)

Sea Creature Inspired Clay Masks: 3rd Grade

The students have been doing a GREAT job painting their masks.  I'm looking forwarding to seeing my other groups finish up their work....I'll be posting those next week!!