After seeing someone post about ThankYouX on Pinterest via Artsonia, I knew I really wanted to develop a project that would allow my students to make some murals, but I didn't want to have to do all the assembly work myself. We had just finished optical illusions and we needed a one-day challenge that wasn't too messy.
We used Crayola Supertip makers to add designs to our murals. Each block was individually colored based on a color scheme and then assembled with tape on the back. I had a tape dispenser at each table for each group, some groups using clear tape, and others using masking tape. My students had to work in groups which is always challenging, but a FANTASTIC experience for them.
We used Crayola Supertip makers to add designs to our murals. Each block was individually colored based on a color scheme and then assembled with tape on the back. I had a tape dispenser at each table for each group, some groups using clear tape, and others using masking tape. My students had to work in groups which is always challenging, but a FANTASTIC experience for them.
For this project, I copied about 400 (but quickly realized I needed about 800 for my 370ish students) 3-D squares on regular copy paper. When each class arrived, I numbered them off. As they walked into the room, each table had a number 1-6. Each group was comprised of 4-6 students.
The students had to work as a team to select a color scheme and design their mural. Because I let the teams have some autonomy, all of the murals ended up quite different. Each student had to create at least one block, but then they could take over the job of cutting or taping if someone else really wanted to color more. I wish I would've made them do more intricate designs, but it was a one-day challenge so I was happy with the overall finished product. I posted a couple of design idea sheets in the room to inspire those 'design' challenged kids.
I have a problem with students who grab one piece of paper, mess up a tiny bit and then want to throw it away. I did not let students throw away their squares. If they had an 'oops' then I would try to pawn it off on a really motivated kid later in the day to finish or fix.
TEAM Collage Optical Illusion
This team challenge MUST involve everyone in the group. As a team you will need to decide on a color scheme. Everyone MUST color ONE piece, but some people may color more than one.
Assign a job to each member of the team: pick up trash, organize supplies, taping shapes together, cutting out shapes, team leader--this person helps everyone else and oversees the design
The students had to work as a team to select a color scheme and design their mural. Because I let the teams have some autonomy, all of the murals ended up quite different. Each student had to create at least one block, but then they could take over the job of cutting or taping if someone else really wanted to color more. I wish I would've made them do more intricate designs, but it was a one-day challenge so I was happy with the overall finished product. I posted a couple of design idea sheets in the room to inspire those 'design' challenged kids.
I have a problem with students who grab one piece of paper, mess up a tiny bit and then want to throw it away. I did not let students throw away their squares. If they had an 'oops' then I would try to pawn it off on a really motivated kid later in the day to finish or fix.
TEAM Collage Optical Illusion
This team challenge MUST involve everyone in the group. As a team you will need to decide on a color scheme. Everyone MUST color ONE piece, but some people may color more than one.
Assign a job to each member of the team: pick up trash, organize supplies, taping shapes together, cutting out shapes, team leader--this person helps everyone else and oversees the design
- As a team decide on a color scheme: cool, warm, primary, secondary.
- Decide which side will remain uncolored with markers. Everyone must abide by the plan and leave ONE side blank.
- Use markers to design two sides of the 3-D cube shape.
- Cut out shape, leave the black lines attached.
- Lay all the pieces out to make a cool design.
- Assemble with tape on the BACK of the shapes.
- Write teacher's name on the back of mural in pencil.
- Draw an arrow on the back that points to the top of the mural in pencil.
The students loved the 'tumbling block' design, so I printed off some coloring sheets from this site for them to have their own to color.
I reconfigured the cubes to fit 2 per page this semester so that I don't use up quite as much paper.
Overall, this was a fun one-day challenge for my 5th and 6th graders. We have about 47 minutes for art.
Supplies:
Copies of 3-D cube (at least 1 per kid, plus many extras for motivated groups
Markers (we used Crayola Super Tips so that there would be tons of options for color schemes)
Scissors
Tape
Design idea sheets
Trash bins at each table (optional)
Pencils (for names on the back)
BONUS: Paintbrush rocket's Tints and Shades tumbling block paintings
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