Pupils joined in conversations about what made us able to recognise a piece or art from Aztec culture. We talked about what sort of materials they might have used to create their artworks and how they would've made tools to carve and manipulate stone.
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| Words we used to describe Aztec times |
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| Quick thinking words and drawings that were stuck all around the room by children, so be used as inspiration throughout the day |
To have direct hands on experience of something similar to the stone carvings of Aztec times, pupils got to visit 20-21's Rose Window in the sculpture garden. We talked about the similarities between the window and the calendar, thinking about shape, size and materials.
Pupils answered questions on a specially designed worksheet specific for this workshop. Once the questions were answered children were challenged to draw not only the Rose Window, but to make it look 3D in their drawing.
There were some excellent results!
Our Aztec calendar was to be a real group effort, with pupils working in teams of three or four to create their own segment of a much larger design. These segments will eventually go back together to decorate the halls of their school. The segments had been drawn with the basic Aztec calendar and was to be filled with detail by the groups, concentrating on collective decision making and working as a team.
These detailed drawings would become 3D by using a wide variety of materials that would attach to the board.
The best material we used, though, was a new experience for us all. Paper clay had been made by the Education Officer and Gallery Assistants at 20-21, to use to make relief patterns on the MDF segments we were decorating.
The final pieces will take a few days to dry completely, before we spray them gold and join them up on the school walls. Hopefully, in a few weeks, you'll get to see the final result!
"A great project that comes back to school. It's great to see them use new things." - Year Five Teacher
"My class loved it! The children were engaged and enjoyed it." - Year Six Teacher
"I really enjoyed the morning and feeling the paper pulp" - Jessica aged 11
If you or your school are interested in a similar workshop designed to suit your every need, please don't hesitate to contact us on education.2021@northlincs.gov.uk or call 01724 297070.