As a continuation to the Bead Chandelier/Mobile project before the long winter break, the children were shown videos on Alexander Calder and his contribution to the Mobile/Stabile as well as working with wire, making a wire circus and introducing the world to Linear Sculpture, which is essentially a contour design (where you don't pick up your pencil) using wire. However, since I am not Mr. Calder, Mrs. Slats came up with an activity to incorporate the students "found objects" into our own Linear Sculpture to help decorate the Art Room walls. Due to all the end of the year activities and some field trips I was limited in my time with the students. It turned out successfully, although I did have to adjust what the design was, based on the children available to me.
My focus for this lesson was to teach the children how to work with wire (yes, even 1st grade) and twist wire around their object in such a way that it would not come loose. It is no easy task I tell you. Ironically enough, the fact that we were kind of "wrapping a present with ribbon" couldn't come at a better time as I told all the children, they may now help their parents with the holiday wrapping with their new technique!!
I made the outline with sturdier wire and the children helped connect to each other to form the inside of each letter/character with thin pliable wire.
This whole idea is based on Calder's Fish. (This is where you keep an open mind and remember that I am not Mr. Calder :-)
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| Calder's Fish |
Here is the end result hanging in the art room for their children to admire:
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| Don't you just love the "found objects" the children brought in! |
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