Practicing Cooperative Creativity

A little interactive fun with some of our group collaborative work using technology!

These girls were really funny; always talking about how they
were going to work together but not always achieving
success in those endeavors.

First graders completed a Rizzi City project a few weeks ago.  Our next project was to further explore Rizzi by working collaboratively to create a mural of a city.   Students worked in groups of 4-5.  It's alway interesting to see what will happen with a collaborate project.  Some students do terrific with this style work; others struggle.  You quickly can identify those who will take on leadership and will moderate the group and those that will hang back and wait for instructions from the self appointed group leader.  You also will identify those that will attempt to engage as little as possible.  I always tells them that the purpose of the project is to

These guys are doing really well sharing the work load

Super group dynamic here and they  took turns being in charge

A closer look at the actual project

work together and that I will be monitoring cooperation.  I am looking for them to gain communication skills and work things out amongst themselves.  I never intervene other than to tell them to go back to the group and work it out together.

Love Birds 2003

1st grade student work

 This original work by James Rizzi was the inspiration for the following works by 1st grade students the past couple of weeks.  They had been exploring the many works by Rizzi and had already create smiling buildings in a Rizzi type city.  Students followed a directed draw to create the birds and then embellished their work based on "Love Birds.  They were completed with watercolor.  I am so in love with these sweet little paintings and the endearing way students created their interpretations.

student work

student work

student work

student work

Creating James Rizzi Cities in First Grade

My students love learning about more current artist.  James Rizzi was a great hit for a current lesson with first graders.  I began the lesson by concentrating on shapes and creating space through overlap.  Students then built their cities in the style of the examples I had shared of Rizzi's work.  I encouraged them to take their time and draw all those many windows necessary to create the buildings and also not to hesitate to have fun by creating some wacky faces on a few of the buildings.  Color pencils were used to add color with my again stressing Rizzi's use of color and that the buildings should not look like "normal" buildings but instead we would be working for wacky and fun.  I was pleased with all the variety and individuality students brought to their Rizzi Cities.

Student Work

Student Work

Student Work

Student Work

Student Work