Arm Casts

Here are some pictures of the Self-Identity Arm Cast.

Van Gogh Self Portrait

http://www.nga.gov/education/classroom/self_portraits/wrk_van_gogh.shtm

This is a cool project where most kids come away feeling successful. They start by taking a face shot of themselves, I have Jen do it in Technology. The pictures are printed out using a grey scale so most of the features are distinguished. Then oil pastels are applied using complimentary pairs and Impressionist technique. I found this assignment on this website:

Gustav Klimt

The 8th grade class replicated a piece of art in the decorative style of Gustav using gold scratch board. Here are some stand out examples!

Gargoyles

The 7th grade class made gargoyles/grotesques out of clay to display with their castle. Here are just a few awesome examples!

Tessellation Examples

have always been fascinated with MS Escher and his work. See here are the beginning stages of my attempt to make a tessellation. If successful, I will adopt tessellations into the 7th grade curriculum...









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Coat of Arms

We have the 7th grade class design their personal Coat of Arms that they will drape in front of their castle at Castle Fair. This is another quick, 2-3 day lesson in Expressions.

Scaled Houses

To support the proportion unit in Math and the building-to-scale expectation of Social Studies we designed a hands-on proportion lesson building a house to scale. We designed a worksheet that had a basic picture of a house. Kids took measurements of the house and multiplied them by a ration to get the proper proportion. Then, using card stock, they built the house to scale.
Next week they will begin their proportion unit in Math. The hands-on activity in our class will hopefully make the concept more concrete for all students.

Arm casting

The 8th grade is wrapping up the Black History Unit with and African Tribal Arm cast. Seen here are pictures of kids casting each other's arms. It is a team building experience as they must trust and rely on their partner's ability to cast their arm correctly. It is a very messy and uncomfortable experience- but one the kids will remember forever.