March Maker Madness!

Welcome back to another creativity-packed edition of my blog. My art-maker students have been busy making loads of art and I’d like to share it with you.

Kindergarten made some leprechaun art for St. Patrick’s Day and bunnies for Easter. These kids are so funny, and I love the faces they drew on their leprechauns.

If the Terminator were a leprechaun...

My first graders colored leprechauns, too, also with delightful expressions. (You’re welcome for the laugh!) First grade also colored paper Easter eggs, and the bright results are beautiful. 

Second grade colored big Easter eggs and also made cards depicting Peep marshmallow candies. We discussed whether Peeps are delicious or yucky. Most kids love them. But there are online groups dedicated to the hatred of Peeps! Data suggests that most adults love Peeps, too: each Easter 15,000,000,000 (yes, billion!) Peeps are eaten. But on a serious note, do you prefer the Peeps chicks or bunnies?

Third grade made three-dimensional Easter bunnies that are hugging eggs. I invented this project, which isn’t difficult, but is a fun table-topper. The kids personalized their bunnies and had a good time. They also made leprechaun table toppers for St. Patrick’s Day. We discussed whether they had seen leprechauns, and some of these kids claim to have seen them!

A dozen eggs. Plus bunnies.

I love that Sergio added the St. Patrick's theme to his name!

Fourth grade worked on a tessellation project. Even if you don’t know the term, you’ve seen tessellations. A tessellation is a repeated shape that fits exactly into the shape next to it, creating a pattern without gaps. Each student colored their paper to represent a three-dimensional cube, with warm colors on the top of the cube, cool colors on the front, and dark on the right. Put together, this creates a vibrant tessellation pattern. I like the dynamic result.

My fifth-grade maniacs (oh, I mean students) colored hanging Easter eggs to bring home as decorations. I love the variety in patterns. These are so colorful and cheerful. They also made St. Patrick’s Day art, using metallic paper as an accent. 

Sixth grade did a project you may remember from the fall, when my eighth graders did it: topiary drawings. I had the kids color animals, shapes or people that are made from trees and plants. I think some of them really nailed it.

My seventh graders made Easter cards with metallic paper. I teach at a private school, and some of our art is religious. I asked the kids to cut metallic paper into pieces and glue it into a cross shape on their cards. The effect reminds me of stained glass. The kids each did their card a little differently, and the effects are wonderful.   

My eighth-grade class learned about Mexican American artist Ana Serrano. Her family originally came from the northwestern state of Sinaloa, Mexico. Serrano creates 3-D architectural sculptures from cardboard.

Serrano’s work reflects the socio-cultural and architectural elements of urban life in many Latino neighborhoods in America. She is interested in how people decorate and personalize their homes. Here is Serrano’s piece, Cartonlandia, which is taller than an adult.

My eighth graders covered cereal boxes and shoe boxes with construction paper and added details to turn the boxes into buildings. The buildings could be businesses or residences, and I love the imagination the kids used. My students enjoyed the three-dimensional aspect of this project.

This student always comes up with something unique. He made a conveyer belt on top of his building!

This eighth grader is so talented, always going above and beyond.

That wraps up the March whirlwind that swept through my art room. If you are celebrating Easter this month, Happy Easter. If not, happy spring! The longer days and blooming flowers are lifting this artist’s moods. Enjoy the sunshine and the buds on the trees, and I’ll see you in April for more adventures in art land…