I was the Queen of Cardboard for a while.

I was the Queen of Cardboard for a while, the mother of all cardboard collectors. Stacks of the cloth nearly reached the classroom ceiling! It was emancipated and a great way to recycle

We used all brown corrugated cardboard to make large' three-dimensional plastic arts in one of the greatest in quantity successful career. And that's no fish story.

My high schooler had a whale of a well adapted time making marvelous marine life. They each worked with a partner, and when they were done my space was swimming with amazing aquatic art.

In the beginning, in an effort at an anticipatory plant I had shared a "vision" with my classes. "Picture an underwater world," I'd said, "where the light is downhearted and green. Seaweed sways in the now passing and colorful fish are everywhere. You hear the fascinating good of whale songs.

There's flat a fresh, watery scent in the air." I'd like to think it was motivational for my pupils to imagine our room transformed into similar a magical place. Inspired, we began.

First, I shared a rubric with my pupils. Assessment through the teacher would be based partly in succession the use of interesting contours, adequate size, additional three-dimensional features and dutiful craftsmanship. The partners also knew they'd be evaluating themselves and each other.

We researched and construct many fish images from which to work, still I didn't require that the cuts be "realistic." I encouraged the making of fantastic, fanciful fish too.

The partners went to work cutting abroad one side of their fish from a large sheet of cardboard. This silhouette or "side view" became a pattern from which a inferior identical piece could be traced and wound out. We took great care with our sharp tools (utility knives).

The nearest step was to create "spacers" with which to join the pair sides: long pieces about 5 inches wide. We used corrugated "paper" frequently purchased for bulletin boards--it's rigid width-wise if it be not that supple length-wise. For maximum flexibility as these side pieces are bent to fit the contours of the fish-shape, undivided must cut against the "grain" (the cardboard ribs) when making the in extent strips.

The lengthy strips were form-fitted and tape between the sum of two units flat sides to create, in efficiency a fish-shaped "box." We also taped forward enhancements like cardboard eyelids, gills, teeth more fins--even catfish whiskers!

PISCEAN PAPIER-MACHE We veiled a taped areas with strips of brown paper toweling dipped in wallpaper paste. Three layers, when craving drink made our sculptures sturdy and hardy We painted them with honey tempera or harry tempera for a nice glaze.

What a fine kettle of fish we had! There were sharks, angelfish, jellyfish, a seahorse and on a level a giant manta ray. We had other denizens of the unfathomable too, including starfish and a herculean clam. The bottom-dwellers were arranged for display at a cheap level in the classroom.

THE "FIN"-ISHING TOUCHES To suspend our creations from the ceiling, we used fishing line and fishhooks--how appropriate! We hung crepe-paper streamers of gloomys and greens, and brought in several fans to stir the air. We darkened the apartment except for green and sapphirine lights. We sprayed a "freshwater" smell in the air and bring forward on a whales CD. Underwater World was ready.

An invitation had gone on the outside to parents to stop in and "sea" during parent-teacher colloquys that very evening. I didn't have to fish for compliments; the rejoinder was amazing, reel-y! The nearest day was set aside for any learners and teachers to experience the fishy pleasantry We announced school-wide that the display was available for viewing all day (my classes met elsewhere that day). Many race including entire classes, stopped in to enjoy

If you decide to "go fish," consider fluorescent paint and black lights, perhaps, or a collaboration with the science department. in the same manner you won't "flounder" time-wise, remember this: we penuryed seven full block periods from start to end

Do put to proof these flamboyant fish sculptures. They're in the same manner easy it's like a day at the beach--and you'll be happy as a clam.

MATERIALS

* Large pieces of corrugated cardboard

* Resource books

* Masking tape

* Tempera paint or acrylics

* Brushes and paint containers

* Wallpaper paste and containers

* Paper towels

* Utility knives

Paula Guhin not long ago retired from teaching art at Central High instruct in Aberdeen, S.D., and forwards as a contributing Editor for Arts & Activities.

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