3rd to 5th grade students are doing 3D animal masks as a project for art class, taught by Soren Sturlaugson, in here students put some of their skills to the test, by cutting and pasting.

Students are required to form the masks in such a way that they start with 2D planes and then scale up to three dimensions, this activity, although original, takes some time, to design the masks, students have to do a specific process which involves following instructions.

“It’s more of a process art, in the sense that there’s a certain process and certain directions that you have to follow, in order to have it turn out the best way possible” Soren Sturlaugson, Upper Elementary Art Teacher, said.

Apart from this, the students are also encouraged by the teacher, to practice precision, in the sense that the activity involves a lot of cutting, and folding things in the right way.

“So, Mr. S gives us some papers, and we score them, cut them, we fold them and we match the numbers to make our masks, and first we start with the 2D figures, and now I decide to challenge, on doing the 3D ones” Luciana, 4th grade student, said.

Aside from the process, the activity has been proven to have an effect on the students motor skills and the use of basic tools, like scissors or rulers, and help them develop the necessary skills to do the activity correctly.

“We’ve been told by a couple of math leaders, that not necessarily for motor skills, but for, just like their use of basic tools, such as scissors or rulers, or even a ballpoint pen, hasn’t been taught, so using some of this basic tools” Soren, said.

In a way, taking into account the challenge, and the long time that it takes to do the masks, students still have fun doing these masks, and enjoy the whole process that is involved in doing these masks, given the complexity of the activity.

“I think this activity is very cool, because, like you get to do something new, and it’s very cool, so yeah.” Luciana, 4th grade student, said.

At the end of the activity, students will be able to keep their masks, once done, since they won’t be exposed in the gallery, and won’t be used in any type of event.

“With the Upper Elementary students, I’ve been trying to encourage them to practice with precision, and that the old saying “Practice makes perfect” isn’t exactly true, and it’s actually “Perfect practice makes perfect” Soren, said.