'About Me' Creativity Cards

Ummm...can you check out that adorable sloth?  

This lesson evolved after I saw a photo online of mini artists' cards folded and overlapping one another so that they were popping off the page.  I loved it so I took the concept and personalized it for my students.  I have my 7th graders make ten cards (though I allow them to only include 9 in their final layout if they wish).  They are asked to make one 'name' card, two 'symbol' cards to represent themselves and their interests, two 'word/quote cards', two 'design/pattern' cards, and three 'free choice' cards.  I have a few requirements of each of those cards but then I let them decide their layout.  I let them use colored pencils and markers, or just one or the other, I just encourage the maintenance of unity and flow between all of the cards.  Now for the good stuff...Finished Art:

Clay Excitement

I can't wait to put these babies in the kiln!  These are 7th grade creations.  I ask that my 7th graders create hollow forms from pinch pots and transform them into their own works with a minimum of two attachments.  I remind them that I'm focused on them practicing their hand building skills, especially their score and slip techniques.  I want them to be creative in their art making while building on and practicing their clay skills.  I can't wait to get them glazed!  But for now, here is a sneak peak of a few greenware items:

 

Sketchbooks! Sketchbooks! Sketchbooks!

SPOILER ALERT; More amazing drawings like this (from 6th-8th graders!!!!)  if you scroll down!

I started having my middle school students do sketchbook assignments this year.  We've always used our sketchbooks in class for planning, free drawing, doodling, etc but I wanted my students to push their talents and figure out what their artistic interests were a little bit more.  So I started requiring them to do three sketchbook assignments each trimester--that's about one drawing every three-four weeks...nothing major, right?  I created a list of 25 options for each grade level 6th-8th (if you'd like a copy of my lists, let me know).  These are the requirements I gave them (this is just my 6th grade list, each grade level has their own):

Then the magic happened!  They gave me amazingly beautiful and brilliant drawings!  Enjoy!

This one didn't photograph well but I have to show it off--this 8th grader drew a tiger in the jungle using pointillism!!!

Worth noting: This was drawn based off of a photo of this student's grandfather that played college football-such an amazing tribute!!!