SK Gets Down in the Dirt

SK artists have been examining things that grow above and below ground as part of their curriculum.

Art teacher Alexandra Harmel began this experience by reading Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt with SK students to help them discover and recognize the differences between what grows above the ground versus below it. Inspired by what they read, students created collages with animals, insects, worms and plants, carefully placed in their layouts where they appear in real life. 

In science class, teacher Heather Sheahan taught students all about the importance of soil. They compared soil from the sandbox to soil from the courtyard, grew grass from seeds and learned that roots are vital for a plant’s growth. 

To create their final pieces, students first sanded wood panels to prepare their surface and painted them using brushes and sponges to simulate different textures of soil. Next, students traced, colored and cut out animals and drew burrows and tunnels for them. They also mixed red, white and brown Sculpey polymer clay to create worms, blue and black Sculpey to create roly-polys and masterfully applied a variety of glues to hold it all together. 

Enjoy photos of the students immersed in this project and samples of the work on display in the Kupicent Gallery here.