I'd like to share an activity that I enjoyed doing every few years for a community, getting-to-know-you, art project. This will be displayed on a large bulletin board, and unfortunately I don't have a picture of one we did on paper. What I do have are photos of a large table that sat in front of the sofa in my room, but also served as a worktable for kids who liked to work sitting on the floor. It was a long black table, and one year I had twenty-four students, exactly right. And I had quite a few good planners and artists. One student measured and drew out the puzzle, and we drew names to see who would do each piece. The ideas is that you must coordinate with those people whose pieces you touch, and for this one, at the most it meant three people. If you used something like the template I'm sharing, those "inner" students need to do even more collaboration. Here are some photos and a puzzle template for planning.
I hope the beginning of your school year is going well, and if you are not in school, enjoy the week in whatever you're doing.
This is beautiful! I have that puzzle (unused) in my closet. Frankly I was unsure of using it in the beginning of the year. My classes are larger, so we need four puzzles to everyone to have a piece. My first day of the year has passed, so I like the idea of doing this later in the year.
ReplyDeleteYes, it will work for many things, Julieanne. I think it takes some time, so perhaps not good for the first day, maybe later for more 'getting to know you'? Thanks!
DeleteLinda, this is such a fabulous project to spark creativity and build community. I am definitely passing your idea on to the 3rd grade teachers I work with.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol, I hope they can enjoy it in their own way!
DeleteAnother great idea. Makes be want to go back to teaching just to try it out.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Maybe it will 'fit' for you in some other group!
DeleteI love this idea...gives me an idea for the library.
ReplyDeleteHope you'll share if and when you use it, Jone! Thanks!
DeleteThat looks neat and the stipulation that they have to work together and communicate... I can imagine Carrie Gelson's students would create something amazing with this! Very cool!
ReplyDeleteSaw the tweet Michele. Thank you. It is true collaboration, & I find the kids love the doing, too.
DeleteGorgeous idea Linda! This is such a fantastic collaborative community building project! Thanks Michele for sending me the link!
ReplyDeleteSoon, you'll be doing something like this, Carrie. I know the kids are waiting!
DeleteI love this idea. When I was teaching a self-contained 3rd grade class, I would do an art project each year. We studied Clementine Hunter's art. I still have a tile table, a painting, and a quilt from those years. They are special keepsakes.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to do those things with a class, isn't it? I'm glad you did it, too, Margaret!
DeleteI love that, Linda. Especially how it looks painted onto a table top... permanent. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee Ann. It also has many layers of polyurethane to protect it.
DeleteWonderful idea! Thanks for sharing the pictures and the template! Love the collaboration that is necessary - perfect for beginning of the year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dana, it's a project that uses so many skills, including how to do a project with someone else!
DeleteLove the collaboration aspect of this idea. We have done this when each child gets their piece and creates it -- to show how we are each different, yet fit together. I like this different take on working together to make a whole out of each piece. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteClare
Yes, it is a little different because the picture has to cross borders, but the puzzle piece aspect is always fun. Thanks, Clare.
DeleteI love this activity and it could be used in many different settings. The picture you showed us was incredible! Thanks for sharing a great way to create community and connect students.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ramona. I agree that different groups can use this activity, even a group of adults in a getting-to-know-you setting.
DeleteI am so glad you are sharing this idea via your blog. It's a great class project and I was just thinking of setting something like this up in my room.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll do it, Max. It's a satisfying project for the kids. Everyone can be successful! Thanks, and best wishes for a marvelous day tomorrow!
Delete