1. Found Object Architecture<\/strong><\/h2>\nBlocks of any kind are an excellent tool for exploring architecture. But so are objects from around the home, including bowls, cups, plates, books, cans of food, and boxes. Students create a large building or an entire city using small toy characters for context.<\/p>\n
![\"architecture](\"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/architecture-1024x391.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
2. Forts!<\/strong><\/h2>\nSmall-scale architecture is not where the fun needs to end. Have students grab blankets, sheets, and pillows. Kids of all ages delight in forming forts to crawl inside. Special attention can be paid to the interior design of the fort\u2019s blanket-covered spaces.<\/p>\n
3. Collected Portraits<\/strong><\/h2>\nIn her classroom, elementary art teacher Casie Fanning<\/a> provides students with found objects to form temporary portraits. After they are delighted by their assemblage, students snap a photo and clear the table to make another face. Students can do this at home by collecting items and combining them to form different expressive portraits without the need for glue. Cups, bottle caps, bananas, can tabs, and clothespins are possible materials to create with.<\/p>\n![\"portrait](\"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/faces-1024x397.jpg\")
Image courtesy of Casie Fanning<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n4. Fashion Design<\/strong><\/h2>\nStudents combine clothing in new ways to create a whole new head-to-toe look for themselves or a family member. This includes unique combinations of colors and patterns. Who knows? Maybe an experimental juxtaposition of clothing prompts a whole new style.<\/p>\n
![\"fashion](\"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/fashion-1024x380.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
5. Nature Sculptures<\/strong><\/h2>\nYour context matters when considering how students will interact artfully with nature. Is it February in North Dakota? Challenge students to bundle up and form snow sculptures. October in Ohio? Draw inspiration from Andy Goldsworthy<\/a> and gather sticks and leaves to create forms and shapes. Or December in Phoenix? Collected rocks can form non-objective designs or stacked towers of different heights.<\/p>\n![\"goldsworthy](\"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/goldsworthy-1024x396.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
6. Food Arrangements<\/strong><\/h2>\nBreakfast, lunch, or dinner can become so much more exciting by focusing on creative and visual presentation. Famous chefs worldwide spend time arranging food on the plate to appeal to all of the senses. Students take a meal or a snack and arrange it thoughtfully for others (or themselves) to enjoy.<\/p>\n
![\"food](\"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/food-1024x380.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
7. Junk Mail Origami<\/strong><\/h2>\nStudents take junk mail headed for the recycling bin and practice their origami skills<\/a>. Be sure students ask an adult before using any mail. Most folded forms require a square, necessitating students to fold a large triangle the width of the paper first and tear off the excess paper rectangle. Provide video or paper directions to fold any number of origami forms.<\/p>\n8. Recreated Scene<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe pandemic brought on the recreating of famous artworks using people and items<\/a> already at home. The fun doesn\u2019t need to end! Collect toys and found objects from around the house to recreate scenes from favorite picture books<\/a>.<\/p>\n9. Shadow Puppet Performance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\nSmall-scale architecture is not where the fun needs to end. Have students grab blankets, sheets, and pillows. Kids of all ages delight in forming forts to crawl inside. Special attention can be paid to the interior design of the fort\u2019s blanket-covered spaces.<\/p>\n
3. Collected Portraits<\/strong><\/h2>\nIn her classroom, elementary art teacher Casie Fanning<\/a> provides students with found objects to form temporary portraits. After they are delighted by their assemblage, students snap a photo and clear the table to make another face. Students can do this at home by collecting items and combining them to form different expressive portraits without the need for glue. Cups, bottle caps, bananas, can tabs, and clothespins are possible materials to create with.<\/p>\nImage courtesy of Casie Fanning<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n4. Fashion Design<\/strong><\/h2>\nStudents combine clothing in new ways to create a whole new head-to-toe look for themselves or a family member. This includes unique combinations of colors and patterns. Who knows? Maybe an experimental juxtaposition of clothing prompts a whole new style.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
5. Nature Sculptures<\/strong><\/h2>\nYour context matters when considering how students will interact artfully with nature. Is it February in North Dakota? Challenge students to bundle up and form snow sculptures. October in Ohio? Draw inspiration from Andy Goldsworthy<\/a> and gather sticks and leaves to create forms and shapes. Or December in Phoenix? Collected rocks can form non-objective designs or stacked towers of different heights.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
6. Food Arrangements<\/strong><\/h2>\nBreakfast, lunch, or dinner can become so much more exciting by focusing on creative and visual presentation. Famous chefs worldwide spend time arranging food on the plate to appeal to all of the senses. Students take a meal or a snack and arrange it thoughtfully for others (or themselves) to enjoy.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
7. Junk Mail Origami<\/strong><\/h2>\nStudents take junk mail headed for the recycling bin and practice their origami skills<\/a>. Be sure students ask an adult before using any mail. Most folded forms require a square, necessitating students to fold a large triangle the width of the paper first and tear off the excess paper rectangle. Provide video or paper directions to fold any number of origami forms.<\/p>\n8. Recreated Scene<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe pandemic brought on the recreating of famous artworks using people and items<\/a> already at home. The fun doesn\u2019t need to end! Collect toys and found objects from around the house to recreate scenes from favorite picture books<\/a>.<\/p>\n9. Shadow Puppet Performance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
4. Fashion Design<\/strong><\/h2>\nStudents combine clothing in new ways to create a whole new head-to-toe look for themselves or a family member. This includes unique combinations of colors and patterns. Who knows? Maybe an experimental juxtaposition of clothing prompts a whole new style.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
5. Nature Sculptures<\/strong><\/h2>\nYour context matters when considering how students will interact artfully with nature. Is it February in North Dakota? Challenge students to bundle up and form snow sculptures. October in Ohio? Draw inspiration from Andy Goldsworthy<\/a> and gather sticks and leaves to create forms and shapes. Or December in Phoenix? Collected rocks can form non-objective designs or stacked towers of different heights.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
6. Food Arrangements<\/strong><\/h2>\nBreakfast, lunch, or dinner can become so much more exciting by focusing on creative and visual presentation. Famous chefs worldwide spend time arranging food on the plate to appeal to all of the senses. Students take a meal or a snack and arrange it thoughtfully for others (or themselves) to enjoy.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
7. Junk Mail Origami<\/strong><\/h2>\nStudents take junk mail headed for the recycling bin and practice their origami skills<\/a>. Be sure students ask an adult before using any mail. Most folded forms require a square, necessitating students to fold a large triangle the width of the paper first and tear off the excess paper rectangle. Provide video or paper directions to fold any number of origami forms.<\/p>\n8. Recreated Scene<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe pandemic brought on the recreating of famous artworks using people and items<\/a> already at home. The fun doesn\u2019t need to end! Collect toys and found objects from around the house to recreate scenes from favorite picture books<\/a>.<\/p>\n9. Shadow Puppet Performance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\nYour context matters when considering how students will interact artfully with nature. Is it February in North Dakota? Challenge students to bundle up and form snow sculptures. October in Ohio? Draw inspiration from Andy Goldsworthy<\/a> and gather sticks and leaves to create forms and shapes. Or December in Phoenix? Collected rocks can form non-objective designs or stacked towers of different heights.<\/p>\n Breakfast, lunch, or dinner can become so much more exciting by focusing on creative and visual presentation. Famous chefs worldwide spend time arranging food on the plate to appeal to all of the senses. Students take a meal or a snack and arrange it thoughtfully for others (or themselves) to enjoy.<\/p>\n Students take junk mail headed for the recycling bin and practice their origami skills<\/a>. Be sure students ask an adult before using any mail. Most folded forms require a square, necessitating students to fold a large triangle the width of the paper first and tear off the excess paper rectangle. Provide video or paper directions to fold any number of origami forms.<\/p>\n The pandemic brought on the recreating of famous artworks using people and items<\/a> already at home. The fun doesn\u2019t need to end! Collect toys and found objects from around the house to recreate scenes from favorite picture books<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n6. Food Arrangements<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n7. Junk Mail Origami<\/strong><\/h2>\n
8. Recreated Scene<\/strong><\/h2>\n
9. Shadow Puppet Performance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"shadow](\"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/shadown-puppets-1024x547.jpg\")
![\"found](\"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/foundcolorwheel-1024x380.jpg\")