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CM . . .
. Volume VIII Number 16 . . . . April 12, 2002
excerpt:
I began designing these projects as a volunteer in my children's elementary school in the mid-1980s. The school needed art projects that were safe and environmentally sound, captured the imagination of the students, inexpensive, taught art fundamentals and were simple to communicate. They were a big hit. I have taught these techniques to thousands of children and adults over the past 10 years.
Let's look
at this book, first of all, from the viewpoint of a student of any age.
It contains over 100 pages of amazing, interesting sculpture projects!
These include a variety of masks, headdresses, marionettes, boxy creatures,
folded figures and cone figures. Extra sections explain how to decorate
the finished sculpture and how to include a variety of noses, ears, eyes,
tails, wings and horns! There are excellent, easy-to-follow written instructions
as well as clear and concise diagrams outlining all the steps. Some of
the instructions are even humourous:
"**Warning** Failure to read instructions
below may result in terminal nose droop or even the dreaded loss of
proboscis" (p. 40)
Students will undoubtedly enjoy these
imaginative sculptures, with minds eager to create and fingers itching
to cut, glue and build! Made by beginners, perhaps, yet the finished
products (there are some photos included) definitely look professional!
There is a great deal here for teachers
as well. In fact, the book would be useful not just in a classroom,
but at home, at camp, in a boys' or girls' group, in an institutional
setting - anywhere you want to get creative juices flowing! There are
notes and useful tips for teachers which are especially helpful for
those who are teaching art without any specific background training.
The overview of each project gives pragmatic suggestions such as what
type of glue to use or the best ratio of staplers to students. There
are notes regarding the relative difficulty of each project and how
to alter the project for a specific grade level. An approximate idea
of how much class time is needed is also given. All projects are imaginative
yet safe for even young children. With each, there is a list of the
materials and tools required, including templates for the folding figures.
Because the projects use primarily recycled paper and cardboard, costs
are minimal. Teachers will find that making these fabulous sculptures
can be integrated with much of the curriculum, for instance math, creative
writing, drama or science. The only restriction is the imagination of
the teacher and students!
Author Susan Rennick Jolliffe is a multi-media
artist who has created a book which will appeal to students and which
is also an excellent classroom support for teachers. Its spiral binding
makes it lie flat which is so practical for a 'how-to' book. The book
is god value since there are hours of projects included for any age
group for a price of only $18.95. This is a wonderful resource which
combines the skills of following instuctions, building and problem solving
with aesthetic creativity. A winner!
Highly recommended. Ann
Abel is a former teacher of high school English and French who is currently
the teacher-librarian at Peterborough Collegiate in Peterborough, ON.
To comment on this
title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal
use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other
reproduction is prohibited without permission.
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