A Peek Inside Ms. Bushon’s Lone Pine Art Class

Students are greeted with a ray of sunshine streaming through the windows when they walk into Lara Bushon’s art room at Lone Pine Elementary. More splashes of color and interesting displays surround the students as they make their way to the front of the room. Once all students are seated and quiet, Ms. Bushon reviews the project the class will continue to work on during today’s session.

The fifth graders are creating mixed media 3D sculptures of personified animals. They use egg cartons, paint, glue, fabric, beads, and any other materials they can find in the supply bins. Ms. Bushon discusses the steps of the project which include having an image of inspiration with a rough draft plan, parts list, and thinking through a plan of action. She reminds the class, “Work smarter, not harder, start with the big parts, like painting the background, and work your way small to the details, such as buttons on a shirt.” Next, Ms. Bushon shows the students pictures of animal characters and asks them to think about their characteristics. As part of this project, students will bring their character to life by writing their story, so she asks the artists to consider what the animal likes, and who they are while designing the face and body.

Students are excited to get started. After one last reminder from Ms. Bushon about the safety of tools and equipment, they move to various stations around the room to gather supplies and begin working. While students create their sculptures, they chat about their animals. Three students work side-by-side, designing three dancing rats complete with pink, lacey skirts. Another student hot glues eyes onto a wolf’s egg carton snout. Ms. Bushon is available to help cultivate ideas and assist with tools while instilling confidence in the student’s ability to be imaginative and problem-solve.

Near the end of the class, it’s time to clean up. They return materials to their bins, wash paint brushes and place their animal sculptures on a labeled shelf where they will wait for their artist to return.