Week 7 - Collaborative Art Activity

This week we were supposed to bring in an example of art in our community.  I brought a photo of the skate park near the community centre where people have created some beautiful graffiti (beyond just tagging).  We were then split up into primary and intermediate groups and did separate activities.   

Reflection:  I was in the primary group and we worked with creating different things with felts.  While I didn’t dislike this assignment, I didn’t connect with it because I found it frustrating I wasn’t able to create what I wanted (a felt covered rock).  Because I don’t feel I have a good handle on how to really manipulate and create something with the felt, I just don’t think I would attempt this with my class (or I would bring in an expert to help and do the lesson with the class).

I really loved the playground the preschool class created for their felt rocks, though.  And I really loved the felt rocks the students created.  I would consider doing this activity with using yard and glue to create colourful rocks.  Or just paint the rocks.  I just really liked the idea of the other material covering the rocks.  I wouldn’t want to force the idea of creating a rock playground, but I would encourage the students to create a community for their rocks.  How would they all live together and play together? 

Adaptations:  I think I would be inclined to use the community/classroom flag idea as well.  I would adapt this for the primary classroom by showing students examples of flags from countries first.  I would discuss with the class what things make each flag “good” or “not as good”.  Is it easy to recognize?  Easy to re-create?  Does it represent the country well?  Stuff like that.  I would ask what they would change about a flag to make it better, too.  I would encourage parents to come on this day to encourage students to think about what things are important in their community.  I would likely do a class brainstorm first to help students think beyond just “firemen, police” etc.  What are things you want from a good friend?  Would you also want those things to be in your community?  I would also definitely get students to use primary colours and paints.  I would like the flags to be very saturated colours.

Assessment:  Were students able to come to a common understanding and create a flag they all agreed on?  Did they create something that represents the words they came up with to describe their ideal community?  Did they use colours that are recognizable and attention getting?  Can they explain and talk about what they have created?

I would consider allowing students to vote on one of the flags to be the classroom flag.   I think primary students would be able to do that without being sad about theirs not being picked.  I would make it a secret ballot because I think that would be a really fun thing to do and would make the students feel like their opinion really counted and didn’t need to be influenced by other students.

(Unfortunately I don't have any photos from this week of the primary activity, nor can I find my felt piece I made).