Kindergarten: Cross-curricular Animal Sculptures

Trying something new this year, I had Kindergarten use the typical sphere and cylinder lesson to create model magic animal sculptures instead of family portraits. After learning that they are preparing for a trip to the zoo and will be doing classroom "research projects", I let students lead us through discovery by finding images of animal habitats that they described. The project flowed like this:

1- lesson on sculptures complete with images of Animal sculptures found in nearby Philadelphia. 

2- lesson on making forms (spheres & cylinders) with play dough to create animals. (Students practiced)

3- students chose one animal and made it out of Crayola Model Magic.

4- After a discussion about sculpture materials, students painted sculptures with silver or animal-like colors.

5- Student led discovery of natural animal habitats. We LOVE google for finding out where animals live and pictures of the habitats. (Arctic, forest, jungle, dessert, grasslands, etc).

6- students folded, cut & glued paper into a triorama.

7- finally, students cut & collaged paper into the triorama to create a habitat for their animal sculpture! 

  Triorama beginning to take shape. 

This leopard is hiding in the grass.

A chilly Penguin in the Arctic.

A giraffe with his head in the clouds! 

I was constantly impressed & surprised by the creativity in this project. Every student was interested & excited every step of the way.