River Model creation Day

On Friday afternoon we launched into the creation of our river models. I reviewed the parts of the river and what was required as I showed them an exemplar model. Then we gathered at the back table for a demonstration of how to use the model magic. I built up an example model showing them how to warm up and shape the dough to add the various features to their model.

the kids gathered for a demonstration of how to use the clay

 Then we passed out the materials, got names on the boards, and the kids started building up their ground layer. They started with only earth tones and blue for the ground and water, and as they became ready I passed out green for plants, black for roads, white for snowcaps, etc.


Brooke has all her landforms and starts to add buildings and roads

The building elements were available at the back of the room to add when they were ready. We had a lot of adult help in the room. Cindy and Myself, Miss Linda and Mrs McCaffrey all helped the kids get the first layer spread over the surface. Once they had their ground layer down, most of the kids had no problem placing elements, working with the model magic, and letting their imaginations go. They enjoyed working with the clay and worked intently and deliberately. Clay is such a fabulous medium for kids-- like stitching it requires a lot of manipulation of materials in the hands. With both hands at work both sides of the brain are engaged!

Alex's river model is complete- check out her dimensional trees

Some of the kids perhaps tried to include too much and there are some scale problems, but we didn't stress scale as much as we stressed what features were necessary.

Justin and Isaiah discovered their models could join to form a bigger body of water

 It as fascinating to see them all together and hear the kids' reaction. They felt like they had created a whole world together.

the side view of everyone's models when complete

 Next we've decided to have the kids do a written piece using persuasive language about why someone should take a cruise down their river. It will be made like a brochure and be based off their individual models.

"It's like the WHOLE WORLD"- the kids said

We're looking forward to setting this up as a display in the hallway for everyone to see. And everyone WILL see it now that the art room is next door and the entire school comes down our hall at some point every week.

Luckily Cindy had some extra packs of model magic- I had never used it with kids before and was unsure how much would be needed. But it all worked out. The room might have seemed chaotic to anyone walking by, but it was a productive environment, and we met our goal of finishing with some time to spare even.