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First Grade Art Week One

Welcome to First Grade Art!

First grade art is all about  investigating materials and using them to make a plan for a  work of art.

For this week's lesson, we're going to design and build a blanket fort!  Blanket forts provide  children of many ages with a fun and engaging way to use their imaginations and creative problem-solving skills.  They  may also provide younger children with a quiet place to be alone and  relax or deescalate and self-regulate their emotions.

Blanket Fort Design Process:

  1. Identify the problem and ask questions.    How can I build a blanket fort?  What materials do I need to build a blanket fort? What  can I do in or how can I use a blanket fort?
  2. Brainstorm ideas which  might answer these questions.
  3. Make designs!  Draw pictures of  how you would like your blanket fort to look and function.
  4. Build your blanket fort based upon your design!  See below for tips and directions.
  5. After you've completed your fort, don't forget to share your results and show off your hard work!

Building a Basic Fort
fort 1.jpg

Step 1: Make 2 rows of chairs with the backs facing each other. Chairs are a great option because their backs provide a high fort ceiling. Position the rows in front of a sofa, bed, or wall if you want the fort to be enclosed on the back side. Space the rows of chairs about 4 to 6 ft apart depending on the size of your blanket.
fort 2.jpg

Step 2: Place blankets and pillows on the floor of the fort to make it comfortable. Fold a blanket in half and lay it down or layer a few blankets to add cushioning to the bottom the fort. Then, place several cushions or pillows around the edges of the fort.

fort 3

Step 3: Drape a sheet or blanket over the furniture pieces. Drape a large sheet or blanket over the top of the fort so that it goes over the edges of the furniture. Pull the blanket or sheet taut so that it is not drooping down in the center of the fort’s ceiling.
fort 4

Step 4: Secure the blankets with heavy objects or clothespins. The edges of the blanket will eventually slip off the furniture if you do not weigh them down.  Grab a few books or other heavy objects and place them on the edges of the blanket.  

fort 5

Step 5: Bring games, books, and other types of entertainment into the fort. If you plan to spend some time relaxing in your fort, make sure to bring a variety of fun items into it. Bring a few board or card games into the fort if you will have friends or siblings in there with you, or bring a good book if you will be in the fort alone. You could also bring a tablet or laptop into the fort if you want to watch a movie or play games.

fort 6

Step  6:  Stock your fort with snacks and drinks.You don’t want to have to leave the fort to get a drink of water or something to eat! Put some non-perishable drinks and snacks in the fort so you won’t have to go in search of food and drink for a while.