2 sessions; 40 minutes per session

1. SWBAT bend a hanger into the shape of a dog or cat.
2. SWBAT use problem solving skills for building their sculpture.

1. one wire hanger per student
2. assorted pipe cleaners (fluffy ones work best)
3. Twisteez wire
4. Buttons
5. Beads

Need these materials? Visit Blick!

1. Hold hanger upside down. Squeeze the hook shut into a loop. Bend the neck and hook so that it is inside the hanger.
2. Straighten out the corners. Bend the ears into whatever shape you want...pointy, floppy, etc.
3. Begin winding pipe cleaners around the hanger. Use the wire and pipe cleaners to add eyes.

I learned how to make these sculptures at the NYSATA conference at a workshop put on by Carolann Lally and Patricia Stork.

These sculptures can be incorperated into lessons in many ways, and can be as long or as short as you want.

1. Research/explore different dog and cat breeds, and then recreate them in the sculptures.
2. Incorperate the Blue Dog art.
3. Alex Calder

I did these sculptures in two class periods with 3rd grade. We did them during our Random Acts of Kindness month, during which we were raising money for the local humane society. Students made these sculptures to take to the humane society to hang in their building to decorate it and try to draw people in to adopt more animals!

[K-4] Students use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner

[K-4] Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories

[5-8] Students select media, techniques, and processes; analyze what makes them effective or not effective in communicating ideas; and reflect upon the effectiveness of their choices

[K-4] Students select and use subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning

[5-8] Students use subjects, themes, and symbols that demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and aesthetics that communicate intended meaning in artworks

Alexander Calder

Abstract Art, Abstract Expressionism

Line, Shape

Sculpture

Science