Book review with a project connection

I just finished reading this terrific illustrated biography written by Kay A. Haring, Keith's sister.  I loved this.   Many of the facts I already knew about Haring's life and career are included in the narrative.  The additional personal information adds clarity to my understanding of the choices Haring made in his life.  I can not wait to read this treasure to my students.

I already enjoy sharing the images of "I wish I didn't have to sleep! with students.  The companion books will definitely enhance my Haring unit.

I usually use Haring with fourth grade students.  They have done a variety of projects over the years generally focusing on the simplicity of line in Haring's images as well as the implied                                                                       movement in his work.

This year students connected Haring to a project in trace printing.  They created a Haring figure and included hearts in the image.  These were then used for printing.  Here are some images of student works.

Student work

You can find another project connection here.

Success with the Blick project from the AOE Conference

 If you participated in the Winter AOE conference, you will recognize this great project.  We received a  materials sample in the SWAG box.  I feel in love with it right away and knew it would be a way to use my stash of twistee wire and a new way to have students demonstrate movement in their art.  The challenge was to create movement and the work had to balance.  I have done a twistee wire project in the past but this one is a little simpler and a lot more interesting.  I had the black ovals stashed away from a donation from another teacher, they worked great for the bases.  As you can see, some students opted to decorate the bases as well as the cardboard pieces that make the bodies of their people.  I know my 4th graders struggled with this in the beginning but in the end, they loved their creations and were so excited to take them home!