Okay, I admit it. I just did it and I admit it. That’s right, I admit it. You can leave me alone now. I just did it and I admit it. So get off my back! The choice was all mine and yes, I planned it. Well, actually I didn’t plan it, that’s the whole point. It came together nicely and all those involved seemed to enjoy it, even though they didn’t have a clue as to my secret, my just do it, secret. It happened two more times since the first time I did it several weeks ago. It’s not turning into a habit, I promise you that. This habit might be considered by some a rather good one. Nonetheless, the ever present, “more important” others, would certainly frown upon my recent secret discovery. I hope no one important is reading this admission in view of the fact that I might have some trouble come my way if they were to read this. Okay “important person,” if you are reading this, my defense is a first-rate one. It was all for the sake of data. Yes, data. Data drives me. It drives me…all the way to crazy land. That’s where I’m now, crazy land. And soon I will be dining with Marie Callender. She loves microwaves. After four minutes I stir her and then drench her with microwaves for another 1.5 to 2 minutes. After that I need to let her stand, not sit, for two minutes. Next, I will carefully remove her plastic (she is one hot thing) and then stir once again. A bit stir crazy this Marie Callender, however, I do like her covered in plastic.
Where was I? O yes, I was collecting data like a squirrel collects nuts or like a cat hoarder collects cats. Usually the cat hoarder is a woman, did you ever notice that? Sorry again, I’m off point. This data isn’t the kind you write down right away, it’s that observational kind of research data that you can’t write down at the time because your hands are all covered in plaster. Confused? Well so am I and I’m writing this thing! “Thing,” sounds like a title to a movie. I believe it’s a horror flick, just like this flick of horror you are reading. No one knows where it came from and no one knows where it’s going. And they all wish it would just die! Oh my, I think Marie Callender rang my bell. I’ll be back. I don’t want her to be left standing for more than two minutes. She might get angry.
I’m back. Dining with Marie is so fulfilling. Anywho, yes, anywho, not anyhow. Did you see how I switched the letters to create a new funny word? I used the letters in how to come up with the word who and I combined it with any! Anywho. Ha! I’m so clever. Sounds like a word Dr. Seuss would use. Anywho, I gleamed what was necessary from my little experiments and packed up all the observational data and placed it in the left side of my cerebrum. Or was it the right side of my cerebrum? I’ll need to consult my book. After collecting the observational data I then composed the plan. Yes, the wonderful plan. When presenting a brand new art project it’s better to just do it, like the Nike slogan. Taking time to write the plan just to change it after all the kinks are worked out is a bit fruitless. The observational data allowed me determine the best mode of presentation, procedure, helpful hints, objective, essential question, and whatever else I needed to accomplish in order to plan for success. Therefore, I just did it and all went according to plan. I mean, my plan, to not have a plan, went according to plan. Not too confusing after all, right? It was quite a refreshing, freeing experience.
The Project, Observational Data, and Reflection:
The relief sculpture project was somewhat difficult for the entire third grade class and rather difficult for a few. The material was plaster board; the type used for walls…plaster wallboard, also known as sheetrock. I cut up a 4’ X 4’ sheet into small squares and removed the paper from one side after soaking it in water (thank you Phil for the idea). I had a number of clay tools to assist with the carving, yet the best tool was a popsicle stick. Water was used to soften up the plaster in order to carve into it. This was accomplished by dipping the popsicle stick into the water and with that small amount water on the stick, the carving process would begin. This process was not working. More water was needed to soften the plaster. To remedy the problem, I placed a wet paper towel on each panel which softened the plaster and hastened the carving process. Next time I will presoak the plaster panels.
At first, I wanted the students to design one of the three F’s (a fish, flower, or face which could be an animal, plant, or person). This remedy is used to help a child with the subject of their artwork. In the time allotted (40 minutes) this task would have been a rather daunting one and somewhat beyond their skill set for a first relief carving. Therefore, I went for the least complex, a simple line design. After drawing the line pattern with a pencil, they were to carve into the plaster creating straight, curved, or wavy valleys, channels, or trenches. For third graders this would connect landforms/geography/geology with art and reinforce that particular standard. Next time I will focus on shapes and have them carve away the plaster around the various shape(s) they create, geometric or organic. In order for the student to become somewhat comfortable and proficient with this medium, a number of relief carvings must be performed by the student. Once simple line or shape designs are practiced, the student, with confidence achieved will be more successfully inclined to complete a carving of a complex nature such as an animal, plant, or person.
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