Upcycling Crayons

After seeing many fellow art teachers post how they melt their short and broken crayons into new multi-colored crayons I decided to finally get around to trying it out.  I found a gingerbread shaped silicone baking sheet at my local Hobby Lobby store.  I thought the gingerbread man could easily be thought of as a Keith Haring figure, which seemed to make sense for the art room.


I had read somewhere to soak the crayons over night in water.  This helps make it easier to peel the paper from the crayons.
This really does work!

Next comes the sorting of crayons by color harmonies and then placing them into the molds in the silicone tray.  I baked my crayons at 220 degrees, for about 25 minutes.  Allow them to cool and peel mold away from crayon.  Presto!  Beautiful, colorful shaped crayons!

I am planning on using the crayons I created for prizes in the classroom for art trivia questions or for project review.

This whole process does take a bit of time, but it is a pretty calming activity for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Clay Birdhouse

Sixth Grade Art

7 Class Periods

Clay Birdhouse, Sixth Grade Art Lesson

Day 1:  

Go over clay vocabulary: Clay, Slab, Slip, Score, Greenware, Bisqueware, Glazeware, Kiln.  Show examples of previous clay birdhouse projects.  Have students brainstorm ideas of what they may want their clay birdhouse to look like.

Sketchbook planning.

Day 2:  

Demonstrate to students how to roll out a clay slab.  Using patterns that I created before the beginning of class, have students roll out the three slabs for the wall of their birdhouse, the roof and the base.

Using patterns to roll out slab pieces.

Wrap pieces in damp paper towel, place in bag and store until the next class period.

Day 3:  

Begin class by having students take out the wall slab.  Have students create designs on the surface of the clay.  I demonstrate to students how to create texture on the surface of the clay by pushing items into the surface, such as beads, legos, stamps, etc.  I also, demonstrate to students how they can draw on the surface with a needle tool.

Design wall of birdhouse.

After the designing of the wall is complete, we begin to assemble the pieces using the slip and score technique.  Before we attach the roof, we stuff the birdhouse with paper towel.  This will be removed later.

Stuff birdhouse with paper towel before attaching roof.

Once pieces are assembled, the birdhouse is wrapped in a damp paper towel and placed in bag and stored until next class period.

Day 4:

Student use this class period to create the hole in the wall for the bird to enter.  We also poke a hole near the bottom of the hole, so we can later attach a perch for the bird to rest on.  A hole is also poked through the center of the roof so we can attach a rope for the birdhouse to hang.

Adding details to birdhouse.

Any other items that students want to add with additional clay is added at this time.  Students are encouraged to be creative!

Pieces are then set out to dry.  Remember to have students write name on the bottom of the birdhouse.

Write name and class code on the bottom of the birdhouse.  It is sometimes easier to do this step before the roof is attached.

*Before placing pieces in kiln, I gently remove the paper towel through the birdhouse hole opening.

Pieces ready for glazing.

Day 5-6:

After pieces are pulled from the kiln, students glaze their birdhouses.  This may take 1 to 2 class periods.  Glazing tips are discussed.  I also, remind students to be careful not to plug up the holes with glaze.

I have glazes put in disposable containers.  Much easier to share and distribute.

Day 7:

Students use this day to attach the rope for hanging and the bird perch.  Students are also required on this day to complete a self-evaluation of their project.

Student Examples:

PBIS Bulletin Board

PBIS Bulletin Board  

It took a few hours, but I put together and painted this bulletin board for our school.  My plan was to create a bulletin board that could be up the entire school year. 

I love creating bulletin boards, but time gets more and more precious as the school year moves on.  It can get really tricky to find the time to change out a bulletin board every couple of months.  This is why I decided to relate it to our PBIS theme words for the school year.  I figured I could leave it up without feeling guilty about finding the time to put a new board up.

I think it turned out pretty well.  Plus, I got to go to my happy place for awhile and PAINT. 

A picture of me in my happy zone.

Pinch Pot Fish

Sixth Grade
4 to 5 Class Periods

Pinch Pot Fish, Sixth Grade Art

Day 1

Students are given some background information on the origins of clay.  Vocabulary words discussed are: clay, kiln, wedging, pinch pot, slab, greenware, bisque ware, glaze ware.

Using a softball size of clay, students are shown how to create a pinch pot.  Clay is then wrapped in a damp paper towel and placed in a zip lock bag to be stored until Day 3 of the project.


Day 2

Students are given templates of fins and tails to use for their fish pinch pots.  They may choose one of the designs or create their own.

A clay slab is then rolled out to place the templates on.  Clay pieces are cut out. 

Cutting out templates for fins.

One dorsal fin, one tail and two side fins.  Pieces are carefully wrapped with a damp paper towel and stored in a separate zip lock bag from the pinch pot.

Day 3

All pieces are removed from their bags.  Student are shown how to lightly tap the pinch pot on the side to create the bottom of the fish.  I also demonstrate different ways the pinch pot opening could be pulled and pinch to create different shapes for the mouth.

Students are reminded on how to use the slip and score technique for the additive method of clay.  Fins are attached to the body of the pinch pot.  Students are encouraged to use their creativity skills to add other details to their fish: eyes, tongue, teeth, spikes, etc.

Pieces are labeled and set to dry.  Once dry they are placed in kiln for first firing.

Day 4

I have an assortment of glazes set out for the students to use to begin day 4.  We discuss the proper glazing techniques expected for this lesson.  Students are also reminded on clean up procedures.

Glazing the pinch pot.

Pieces are collected and once again fired in the kiln. 

Student Examples:

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

Kindergarten
3 Class Periods

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?  Kindergarten Art Lesson

I have done a very similar lesson in the past with my kindergarten students where our main subject is the grouchy ladybug from Eric Carle's book The Grouchy Ladybug.  You can view the details to theat lesson here:The Grouchy Ladybug

Day 1: 

Students are presented a powerpoint that I created on Eric Carle.  We then read a story by Eric Carle with the intent of examining the beautiful pictures he created on each page in detail.  To view the information I shared with students check out the link mentioned above.

Next, each child is presented with a large piece of white kraft paper.  Paint is poured on each piece of paper.  Students are allowed to use foam brushes, scrapers, roller and their hands to paint with.

Once the paint starts to cover most of the paper I layer the paper with a second color that can easily mix with the first.  I don't need to tell you how excited the students get over this.  The pieces are then set off to the side to dry as clean up takes place.

The colors that I have students create are blue (purple or white is the second color that we mix with it), brown (which has orange, black or white added to it), green (blue or yellow is added as the second color) and orange (yellow is added).

Day 2:

By the second day of class, I have all of the large painted paper cut down to the sizes that we need to create the project.  These pieces over all are 10 x 10-inches.  I use a base of white tagboard to glue all of our pieces on.

We start by gluing down the sky then adding the grass.  All of these pieces so far cut to the exact size.  Students just need to glue them in place.

Students adding sky, grass and clouds to paper.

We add the sun and clouds next.  Students are shown how to create both of these shapes.

After background is in place we begin the construction of the bear.  Usually we get as far as creating his body and creating the circle for his head.

Pieces are collected and saved for the next class period.

Day 3:

Today we review everything we have learned so far about this project ranging from the artist, painting paper and creating shapes.  If I feel class time allows, I often read another Eric Carle story before we begin the days activities.

Bear waiting for those extra details to make him complete.

On this day we create the inside of the bears face, ears, legs, tail and eyes.  A sharpie marker is used to add details like the pupils of the eyes, nose, mouth and claws.

Examples of Student Work: