the idea: connect the Calder-inspired wire sculpture activity with the Samurai exhibit.

This idea takes a bit of explaining.  When I teach off-site for the MFA I have to take a bag of art supplies with me.  When I teach at two different places in one day I try to use the same activity so that I only have to carry one bag.  Usually this is fine, but today it got a little interesting.

In the morning I was already scheduled to make wire sculptures based on Alexander Calder.  This is a pretty popular activity that gets new, interesting materials into kids hands and lets them experiment.  However, in the afternoon I’ve been teaching an ongoing class about ancient cultures.  Most recently, asia.

When I packed up yesterday I thought we would just take a break for my afternoon class and do the wire sculpture project.  As I was reading this seasons MFA Preview, I realized that I might not have to.  Instead, I framed the wire project in the context of the new samurai warrior exhibit.  The kids and I each made a symbol for our samurai armer after discussing how the samurai warriors tried to make their armor intimidating.

I was a little nervous, but it went over really well and I made a pretty shnazzy free-hand dragon.  How’s that for on your feet teaching?