During TERM 3 Visual Art classes, students have been inspired by the CBCA Shortlisted books, connecting Art to Literature.

Prep/One

How to Move a Zoo is a tale influenced by true events. Inspired by Jessie the elephant, Prep One used paper sculpture techniques to assemble their own standing elephant.

Art Elements & Principles explored:

Form, shape, colour, balance.

Learning questions:

• How can a 2D drawing become a 3D model?
• What colours can I use to express Jessie’s emotions in the story

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Tooth Fairy (And Some Things You Didn’t) was a Prep One favourite that sparked magic and imagination! Inspired by the Tooth Fairy village in the story, students designed and created their own magical Tooth Fairy house.

Art Elements & Principles explored:

Form, colour, shape and balance.

Learning Questions:

• How can a 2D drawing become a 3D model?
• How can I use my imagination to create a tooth fairy house? What elements will I add to make my house interesting or unique?

Grade One/Two

One Little Dung Beetle is a counting book that introduces readers to the world of beetles. It acknowledges the role of beetles in our ecosystem and appreciates their individual and unique appearance. Students worked on several art projects inspired by beetles.

They painted a swarm of beetles, using colour and pattern to bring them to life.

Art Elements & Principles explored:

Line, shape, colour, pattern and space.

Learning questions:

• How can we use the space on our page effectively (where will I place my beetles?)
• How can we use colour and pattern to make each beetle unique and interesting?

Grade One Two also created a folded paper beetle. Students cut and collaged symmetrical shapes to create unique patterns and designs. Patterns and art can be found in nature too!

Art Elements & Principles explored:

Colour, shape, pattern and symmetry.

Learning question:

• How can we use shapes and symmetry to create a paper beetle that looks the same on both sides?

Grade Three/Four

Don’t Worry Felix addresses childhood worries and offers practical strategies for children to cope with nervousness. Students designed and created a Felt Breathing Buddy, inspired by the breathing strategies shared throughout the story. They explored symbols, shapes and forms that bring them a sense of calm to guide their design.

Art Elements & Principles explored:

Form, shape, balance, emphasis.

Learning questions:

• What form will my Felt Breathing Buddy take and how will I create this?
• What sewing techniques will I use to ensure my work is functional?

Grade Three Four have mastered some impressive sewing skills. They can thread a needle, tie a knot and use a basic sewing stitch such as a running or whip stitch. Some students even mastered a blanket stitch. Sewing is also a wonderful mindful activity that can take our minds off our worries and help to create calm.

Inspired by the story of friendship, students created a Comfort Charm Artwork using embossing techniques.

Art Elements & Principles explored:

Texture, shape, symbolism, balance, repetition

Learning question:

• What patterns, words or symbols can you create to represent emotions or memories in the form of a tactile artwork (that might be wearable)?

Grade Five/Six

Afloat is a powerful story of climate change, resilience and First Nations wisdom. In the story, weaving becomes a symbol of strength, survival and a hopeful future where people come together to care for the land. Students drew inspiration from the weaving in the story to create a textural wool painting that is meaningful to them.

Art Elements & Principles explored:

Texture, movement, line, colour, composition

Learning question:

• How can we use line, colour and texture to create a sense of movement and/or a balanced composition?

The Garden of Broken Things

This story explores how beauty can emerge from grief. Students sculpted a mini plasticine garden on a cardboard base, incorporating a broken or misplaced object, symbolising resilience and renewal.

Art Elements & Principles explored:

Form, texture, balance, composition, symbolism

Learning questions:

• How do we use form and what kinds of textures can we create or show using plasticine?
• How can we achieve a strong composition in our sculpture?
• How can we use symbolism to show ideas like resilience and renewal?

 

Students garden piece artwork was connected to form a collaborative Garden of Broken Things.

It is a joy creating art with our students and exciting to share their wonderful work.

I hope you enjoyed it!

Bron Pierce