Teach young children the basics of sculpting with 123 I Can Sculpt by Irene Luxbacher.
Written for young artists, ages 4 to 7, 123 I Can Sculpt by Irene Luxbacher (Kids Can Press, ISBN-10: 1-55453-038-5) is an excellent teaching tool for elementary art teachers and parents. The sculptures are fun and easy to make, and use inexpensive materials. Furthermore, the instructions and photographs are easy for young children to read and follow.
The Projects and Materials Needed
There are seven projects to complete in 123 I Can Sculpt, each based on a familiar animal. There’s a toothy crocodile, a sea lion, a silly snake, a flock of colorful birds, a little lamb, a leggy giraffe, and, of course, a dinosaur.
In the first project, children get to make a toothy crocodile. The materials they will need are construction paper, an egg carton, cotton balls, two black buttons, glue, modeling clay, and paint. With very little adult help, children will paint and form a crocodile out of an egg carton that they can display in their bedroom or play with at home.
The second project teaches young artists how to make a sea lion from a stuffed paper lunch bag. This is a great sculpting project to teach to young children because it is so easy to make. The only supplies that are needed are: a paper lunch bag (this is a great way to reuse a bag), masking tape, construction paper, glue, beads, and buttons. The end result is an adorable sea lion for children to show off to their friends and family.
The silly snake is a quirky sculpting project that boys and girls will love. Children can have fun sculpting a silly snake out of aluminum foil and then covering the foil with colorful modeling clay. Children can make their snakes any color they want: pink, purple, orange, or green with blue polka dots. The imagination is the limit.
The fourth sculpting lesson gets kids working with clay. In this project, children will learn how to sculpt a flock of colorful birds out of modeling clay. The birds are then decorated with feather tails and displayed on wooden chopsticks.
The little lamb is easily the most adorable project in 123 I Can Sculpt. Using an old, black sock and cotton balls, children will sculpt a soft, little lamb. This is an excellent art project to coincide with favorite nursery rhymes, such as "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Baa Baa Black Sheep."
The giraffe sculpture is all about balance. Using modeling clay, pipe cleaners, a brown marker, and small bits of yarn, children will be able to sculpt a long-legged giraffe. Like the lamb sculpture, the giraffe lesson can be worked into a child’s curriculum. For example, if the child is learning about natural science or the continent of Africa, they can sculpt a giraffe to explore its habitat and uniqueness.
The final sculpting project is a dinosaur. The dinosaur is the most elaborate sculpture in 123 I Can Sculpt and requires a paper lunch bag, paper and fabric scraps, aluminum foil, modeling clay, and a few other odds and ends most homes and classrooms have on hand.
For Teaching and for Fun
123 I Can Sculpt by Irene Luxbacher is a great introduction to sculpting. The projects are fun and interesting. The format is also easy to follow. For teachers and home schooling parents, each sculpting lesson can easily be worked into an existing reading, natural science, or social studies lesson. For parents, there is no better book on the market that shows kids how to have fun while sculpting their favorite animals.
