masks & tiles

The y4's have been busy completing their papier mâché 'Aztec masks'.

And the y3's have finished painting their ceramic tiles.

clay

As part of their topic about Victorians y3 recently looked at the work of William Morris. As he was also a collector of ceramic tiles we've begun to create our own - using natural, organic, animal designs. We're making them in semi-relief for added interest. Each child is aiming to make 4 identical tiles.

In ceramics club we glazed our flowers. Here they are, ready for the kiln.

trains

 

Our y3 children have been learning all about the Victorian era so we decided to make model steam trains. This pic shows the progression of my try outs and ideas.

 

This pic shows the completed model on top of the photocopied sheet that we eventually used.

The wheels are MDF and the 'chassis' is a pre-cut piece of 'Tech Card'. Next week we'll make the tracks and carriages.

firemen

The littley's (fs1 aged 3/4) were in town planning mode today. We made buildings and began the 'construction' of our town display - incorporating the theme of  'People Who Help Us'! To that end we made a fire engine (just visible on the left) and drew some of the fire fighting crew. The children carefully followed the step by step instructions and came up with some fantastic illustrations.

 

 

 

 

 

In y3 we continued with some x-stitched bookmarks we began last week (ties in with their Victorian theme). We looked at pics of samplers and then designed our own simple patterns/motifs. The children are becoming quite skilful at sewing, having previously stitched and embroidered Indian Elephants.

 

 



more toys

Spinning tops in Y3 today. They're studying the Victorian period and, after Thaumatropes last week, we used the quilling technique (a Vic craft) to create simple tops. The small one in the centre is based around a cocktail stick - it works too!

 

 

today's doodle

Had a hankering to do some chaps in top hats. Decided they might look better if I exaggerated the height of the hats. Am quite liking this as a quirky doodle - though it used up a sizeable amount of pen! 

 

 

 

 

'Bankers'

18x14 cm, pen in notebook

peg dolls

As part of their 19th century studies, the children made peg doll characters. They were each given a peg and a page of hints/tips as to what might make good arms, how to do hair etc. The figures that returned were fantastic. They were all different. Clothing had been made from fabric scraps, paper or even just painted on. Many had obviously enjoyed the parental touch but that is very much a positive - interacting, helping with their childs homework can only be a good thing. I love the big, baggy shorts on the footy player !

round and round

As part of our studies this term we are looking at the Victorian period. In art/technology we are making moving toys. Following on from last weeks Thaumatropes, today the children made spinning tops, by quilling thin strips of card. They worked reasonably well !