Underground Ants

Underground Ant Worlds

2nd Grade

For this project, 2nd graders exercised their imaginations to create an imaginary world for ants.  To warm up our creative thinking and to practice taking new perspectives, students began with some improv exercises.   We played two improv games, one called "walk this way"  and the other called "family portraits."  In "walk this way,"  students walk around the room, changing the way they move with each new command.  Maybe you are walking like your shoes are 500lbs, then suddenly you are on ice, then you become a monkey, oh wait, now a spy!  This activity encourages thinking of many ideas (fluency) and helps to establish a safe space for taking chances.  In "family portrait," students posed for imaginary photos in small groups.  These included rock star, super hero, and sleepy family portraits.  Thank you to http://chapmanart.blogspot.com/ for all the resources on using improv in the classroom. 

Students also engaged in a creative challenge to think of many possibilities for their underground worlds.   Every student was given a paper filled with empty circles.  Students were asked to imagine they were just shrunk down to the size of an ant, when they come upon an ant colony and see all these windows.  What is happening inside?

This ant world has a pool spanning over multiple openings, complete with water pump.  Many students weren't confined by outlines of the circles but connected them in unique ways, even making pathways and portals to their peer's papers.

After finishing their creative brainstorming, students compared and contrasted illustrations by Garth Williams and Beatrix Potter.  Both these artists represent animals in small worlds, but in very different ways.  

Finally, students began drawing their final ant worlds.  

They used materials including sharpies, color pencils, crayons, oil pastels, watercolor, and salt to add color and texture.  

 John experimented with using a paper towel to blot up the paint to create a new texture.

This picture is blurry, but I had to share another example of experimentation.  Sam turned an oil pastel sideways to create a rocky texture before he painted with watercolor.  Gavin was inspired by his work and tried the same technique.  The art room is a great place for collaborating and sharing ideas.    

Great work 2nd grade artists!  And thank you to http://dolvinartknight.blogspot.com/ for the lesson inspiration.