A GREAT WRITER ON CREATIVITY

I first came across the author Keri Smith's work when I bought a copy of her "Guerilla Art Kit" in the Whitney Museum in New York a few years ago. Last weekend I came across two more of her books that I have been trying to find for a few years - in Urban Outfitters in Dundrum, of all places (incidentally they stock a wonderful selection of creative books). These are called "Wreck This Journal" and "Mess - The Manual of Accidents and Mistakes". If any of you want to go mad, make mistakes, scribble, experiment and generally be creative, these books are for you. Many, many ideas that can be adapted for being creative in the classroom with the visual arts!

The Guerilla Art Kit    ISBN - 13: 978-1-56898-688-3
Wreck This Journal    ISBN  978-1-846-14445-5
Mess   ISBN 978-1-846-14447-9

LOOKING AT AND RESPONDING TO ART at CHRISTMAS

Look at how a variety of artists have explored the theme of "angels" through history.
Find examples on cards, in books or by using a web search engine such as google.
Make a class display or class book on the topic with found images,children's writings/poems
and some of the children's own artwork exploring the theme.

Christmas Angels

Angel figures can be created using basic construction materials and fabric scraps.
The basic figure is constructed using light wire wrapped in plaster of paris bandaging.
The basic figure, when completed, is painted with poster paint and sealed with PVA glue.
Clothing, hair, etc is made from scraps of fabric and fibre - netting type fabrics are very effective.
The wings are created using wire shapes wrapped in tissue papers.

CLAY CHRISTMAS TREES

The work of Irish ceramics artist John ffrench provides a wonderful starting point/stimulus for clay work at Christmas. His ceramic christmas trees demonstate the concept of woking with clay on a flat surface - in the curriculum this is referred to as "working with clay plaque techniques" and "using coils and pellets for decation purposes".

Roll clay out, preferably on a wooden surface to prevent sticking, using a rolling pin.
Dont make the clay slab too thin, as it has to stand later.
Use a knife/clay tool to create a tree shape (children might create a card shape to help with this).
Design and cut out small shapes to act as decorations for the tree.
Stick these to the tree using slip - make slip by dissolving clay in water to make a thick clay paste.
Make a clay base for your tree.
When dry, add colour with poster paints mixed with PVA glue.

The Best Visual Arts Site

NATIVITY PLAY

I suppose you could try being very brave with this and doing as the curriculum suggests.
What's that I hear you cry!
Well, using familiar stories as a basis for drama creation is one of the main aims here and after
all what story is one of the most familiar to children - that of the Nativity.
Have a go at letting the children design their own drama presentation using the familiar story
and creating the dialogue, constructing sets, designing and making costumes
and even adding new characters.

Alternatively use a different version of the Nativity story as a basis for an invented drama
to which you might add appropriate songs/carols as you go along. My own particular favourite
version of the Nativity story is "The Grumpy Innkeeper" written by Nicholas Allan and originally
published as "Jesus' Christmas Party" ISBN 0-09-989120-4

The story starts as follows:

There was nothing the innkeeper liked more than a good night's sleep.
But that night there was a knock at the door.
"No room", said the innkeeper.
"But we are tired and have travelled night and day" said Joseph and Mary.
"There's only a stable round the back. Here's two blankets. Sign the register" said the innkeeper.
So they signed it 'Mary and Joseph'.
The innkeeper shut the door, climbed the stairs, got into bed and went to sleep.
But then later there was another knock on the door
"Excuse me, but I wonder if you could lend us another smaller blanket?" asked Joseph.
"There! One small blanket" said the innkeeper.
Then he shut the door, climbed the stairs, got into bed and went to sleep
But then a bright light work him up.
"That's all I need" said the innkeeper.
So he shut the door, climbed the stairs, drew the curtains, got into bed and went to sleep.
But then there was another knock on the door.
"We are three shepherds""
"Well, what's the matter? Lost your sheep" said the innkeeper.
"We've come to see Mary and Joseph" said the shepherds.
"ROUND THE BACK" said the innkeeper.
Then he shut the door............

Now have a go with the children at finishing the story.
How will the innkeeper cope with the angels, the kings and all the other visitors?

MATHS MEASURES

Visit IKEA, yes really!
Collect some of the plastic measuring tapes that they provide free
to customers, long flexible plastic strips with cm on one side and
inches on the other, a great resource. Great for outdoor measuring
and for measuring around corners.
Their catalogs are also great for collage/montage, as are catalogs
from a variety of chains such as ARGOS, M&S, etc.