(click on photos for larger views)
Abby Kass's Third-Graders Created an African Game Reserve Diorama!
Abby described the diorama project: "I've been using ArtHouse with my third graders
to create an African Game Reserve. Well, we don't really use the roof,
except to place a sign with information about the game reserve. But I let the kids
use all sorts of fun materials to create the landform onto heavy cardboard, and we
placed it onto the base. Then they drew the sky and extended the land onto the walls.
On the outside we are placing "save our animals" posters with information about
the animals and the importance of game reserves and protecting our wildlife.
One of my groups of students was really into drawing so I got them a book about
drawing the African animals and I supplied animal print paper, so we will have
animals roaming around the reserve. We should finish up early next week, so I'll
email photos to you. The kids are absolutely ecstatic about it!"
(click on photos for larger views)
Inside the African Game Reserve Diorama: Abby's class created a menagerie of
African game animals, including a cheetah, a jaguar, an elephant, a giraffe, a rhino,
and a zebra. Students drew animals and cut them out like paperdolls. Some were
decorated with animal-print paper. The kids drew smaller animals, such as birds and
snakes into the surrounding diorama walls.
(click on photos for larger views)
Outside the Wildlife Preserve Diorama: Students created "Save our
Animals" posters, with information about various species and the challenges they faces.
To reach every student and make lessons more effective and memorable, it's important to
motivate students and engage their "multiple intelligences." * Think about
the skills used in this project. Each student contributed both individually and as a team member!
They researched and read about their subject, formed creative original ideas, communicated
their ideas in writing and illustration, and applied spatial-reasoning skills to
configure two-dimensional storyboards into the three-dimensional diorama. Kids presented
their work orally, then interpreted and discussed each other's work based on personal
perspective and knowledge. It's really important to note how each child was empowered to
make a unique and valuable contribution to the group effort. Abby's students won't forget
this exciting and effective unit!
In a follow-up note Abby added: "We are doing a unit on Asia and can pick the
countries, so I told them that we will study Japan and use ArtHouse again to create a very
different kind of structure. Needless to say, that created a lot of enthusiasm."
Successful teachers know the best predictor of student achievement is level of engagement.
ArtHouse engages kids by inspiring enthusiasm and creativity, and appealing to their
multiple intelligences.
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