Recycled Robots

3rd grade creation

So I took on a 2nd grade/3rd grade Art Club for the month of May.  Not a lot can be accomplished in four short sessions so I focused on something I could not do in a regular classroom setting without a great deal of planning and hoarding.  I decided to turn to recycled materials.   For weeks I searched and hoarded things from home and the art room in preparation for the project.  Old glue stick containers - check, paint brush handles with no brush - check, pencil nubs - check, mint containers saved and begged - check.  The list could go on.  I made a quick trip to the Dollar Tree for some unusual miscellaneous things to add to the growing pile and then allowed the group to pick, chose and create.  I was excited to find small bottles of Tacky glue at the Dollar Tree as well that were used to assemble everything.   One can of silver spray paint was purchased to applied once the bot was created.  (20 robots - one can of spray paint)  Finally the feathers, googly eyes, buttons, and chenille sticks came out to add embellishments.  And yes, this is not my original idea...I saw it somewhere and just ran with the idea.  So here are a few of the finished masterpieces.  Really proud of these kiddos and so thankful to the staff that they pitched in to find the recycled materials!

3rd grade

very creative 2nd grader

3rd grader

3rd grader

3rd grader

2nd grade

2nd grade

2nd grade

Lego robots and machines

Student Work

Student work

 First grade students created a second project from their printing unit today.  Last week they experimented with mono prints and this week they used legos to print robots or machines.I pulled out regular stamp pads for this project but I think I'd rather find some craft stamps for the next time I teach this.  Students began by experimenting with the legos on a small sheet of paper to discover what different shapes would result from the printing.  They were encouraged to experiment with each piece of lego printing the tops, bottoms sides, etc.  After about five minutes of experimental play, a 9 x 12 piece of paper was used to create a printed robot or machine.  Here are some of my favorites from just one of the classes this week.  Interestingly, most of them were completed by the boys. 

Student Work