Intro to Creative Design
During this unit, students learned a little bit about the design process by studying the work of 3 great designers: Frank Lloyd Wright, Buckminster Fuller, and Leonardo DaVinci. After looking at each of these designers' work and style, students were given a design challenge. First, they reconsidered the function of the chair by creating "Learning Chairs" to help them focus on learning a task. Next, they made playground designs for the new Evan's City K-6 school. Then, they made "Flying Machines" inspired by nature, a style of design called "Biomimicry."
After this, they selected their best idea -- the one with the most potential -- and made a final draft of it in the style of scientific drawings. Their goal was to communicate as much of their idea as they could with labels and descriptions. What an interesting dive into the world of design, fully of fun, sometimes silly, but always creative ideas! Nice work, 4th grade!
After this, they selected their best idea -- the one with the most potential -- and made a final draft of it in the style of scientific drawings. Their goal was to communicate as much of their idea as they could with labels and descriptions. What an interesting dive into the world of design, fully of fun, sometimes silly, but always creative ideas! Nice work, 4th grade!
Adapted Ringgold Story Quilts
Before shifting to learning remotely around Thanksgiving break, students had been studying the art of American artist Faith Ringgold and her story quilts. Their amazing story quilt art projects were left behind in the art room, and a new version was made and completed at home (see a few examples of these flying quilts at the bottom of this page).
However, we knew we couldn't just leave these awesome, half-finished story quilt frames unused! So, we instead adapted these quilts to tell a new story -- one about some things we've been learning during this historic time of the Covid-19 pandemic. Students were asked to think of something that they have learned during this year's pandemic (we've all learned SO much!) and to use that idea to finish their story quilts. Check out some of these redirected story quilts below!
However, we knew we couldn't just leave these awesome, half-finished story quilt frames unused! So, we instead adapted these quilts to tell a new story -- one about some things we've been learning during this historic time of the Covid-19 pandemic. Students were asked to think of something that they have learned during this year's pandemic (we've all learned SO much!) and to use that idea to finish their story quilts. Check out some of these redirected story quilts below!
Some At-Home Art Projects:
Students made a variety of creative artworks on days they learned from home. Here are just a few snapshots of some of the great work done during that time.