Our Little Piece of the Coral Reef in Wisconsin

Well we finally did it!  The multi-age kids (2nd-4th grade) finished their Coral Reef Sculptures!  We started by drawing our coral, seaweed, and ocean animals on cardboard.  Once all pieces were cut out, each child painted both sides using bright colors, patterns, and splatters.  The base was shaped by using an aluminum foil 'cup' each child shaped.  They formed the wire into an "egg-dipper" shape on one end and taped securely in their foil cup.  I pre-mixed Plaster of Paris (tinted blue) and poured over the wires.  It was then the exciting task of adding seashells and real coral pieces (which was generously donated by a community member who had these buried in a closet, so no coral was abused in this lesson:)  The very last task was adding a few beads for texture to the painted coral and attaching all the cardboard shapes to the wire.  I so wish we could have had these on display for the art show but they are now displayed in the elementary above the kids lockers.  They look amazing!