Collaborative Collage

During our study of the city, children were working with Ms. Santos on printmaking.  As we took excursions out and about in the neighborhood, the children grew in their ability to draw the things that they observed: buildings, buses, firetrucks.  

The prints created on this theme were lovely and we wondered what to do with them to showcase the work.

The class took a look at an illustration of a city block created with prints in a favorite book about firefighters.  Teachers showed the children some of the prints they had created and asked them what they wanted to do.  Students agreed that gluing them together to create a collaborative collage of prints would be a good idea.

The teachers tried some strategies to apply and secure the prints but the paint was running and ruining the prints.  So, we asked an expert.  Mr. Malizia, Emerson's dad, is an artist who creates collage in his work.  He came to visit the class and looked at what we had been doing.  He showed the class some of his prints covered in a protective layer of beeswax and he generously offered to help with our collage.

Many children worked to plan this mural.  Some planned the placement of the buildings.  

After observing, the children agreed that it might look better if things were more colorful, so they went back to work making new prints.

A lot of gluing was required.

Mr. Malazia picked up the collage and took it to his studio to frame and coat it so that it can be hung at school.  Soon we will reveal the final product!