I like to start out a new group or grading period with a name project. This gives me a chance to gauge how students approach a project that is pretty much open-ended. The only criteria I gave them was that each letter had to be a different shape or font, and each letter had to have a different pattern. Also, their name would be jumbled and assembled into a frontal-view 3D sculpture. I provided students with examples of fonts and let them look up other styles on their own. Some students chose to use Greek letters or Japanese kanji, while others stuck with the English alphabet. I was pleasantly surprised at the varied styles and approaches to this project. Some students showed accelerated levels of problem-solving capabilities and were able to help out a neighbor on their own.
Students planned their design in their sketchbooks, drew the letters onto card stock, cut the letters out (they had a choice to use scissors or x-acto knives), and assembled the sculptures onto a paper-covered piece of 8 x 10 cardboard. Letters needed to overlap somewhat to build the shape, and students added support with scrap paper tabs and Popsicle sticks--with the design challenge of hiding the support system.
Materials: card stock, Sharpies, markers, cardboard, decorative/scrapbook paper, hot glue, Popsicle sticks and BBQ skewers for support.
