The Art Factory

play, make, create, think, and a razzle dazzle of fun

Leticia Pineda, Teacher

Shenequa Brooks, Teaching Artist

Class Information

Grade Levels: K-3rd

Class Schedule (days/times): T/Th, 3:30-5:30 PM

Academic content: Social Studies and  World History 

Art form(s): Arts & Crafts 

Big Idea:  The Art Factory is a safe space for students to express themselves creatively and freely as they see fit. 

Inquiry Question:  In what ways have has students express themselves creatively via various themes assigned ? 

Character Rolls

The students created their own character inspired by something completely made up, a cartoon character, or someone on a video game. The materials they were able to use were toilet paper rolls, construction paper, cupcake holders, popsicle sticks, foam sticker shapes, and supplies to put it together as they see fit. 

Pumpkin Lucky Charm

Abstract Goofy

Flower Power 

Food Love

The students were assigned to make their favorite food/meal using non traditional and craft materials. They had to think outside the box on how to make the food using the materials given to them. Ms. Shenequa and Ms. Pineda felt this was the most successful projects they've done all year because they were well thought out ideas. 

L: Hot Coco + Treats 

R: Spaghetti + Pizza

L: PB&J Sandwich 

R: Soda, Lollipop, + Cheese Crackers

Monsters 

The students were given parts of a monster such as the mouths, eyes, feet, arms, and other parts to create their own monsters. The students enjoyed making these monsters because they looked goofy and playful. 

Monster's Dining 

Monster's Dining is a hybrid installation of the Monster's and Food Love projects exhibited at Chicago Arts Partnership in Education gallery space. These goofy and playful monsters met at New Sullivan's Cafeteria where they shared and ate meals from sushi, chicken, pizza, spaghetti, cheeseburger, drinks, and various desserts. 

Ms. Shenequa pictured next to Monster's Dining

Owl Community 

The students created owls (aligned with fall theme) that tell a story about a community which they gotten to know each other and their families. Below will be stories shared of what the students created and Ms. Pineda transcribed and Ms. Shenequa installed the Owl Community collaborative art piece. 

Owl Stories 


A’lissa Hutchinson (Kindergarten)

My owl is named Nene. Nene likes to eat lots of food, especially healthy food. Nene is a princess. She tells everybody what to do. She tells them to cook healthy food. If she is sick they get her hot milk and soup. Nene likes the colors blue, purple, pink, blue, and yellow. She likes students that are nice but not ones that are bad. She likes all her teachers.


Beatrice Ramsey (3rd Grade)

My owl is named Chabray. Chabray is loving kind owl. She helps people around the village. Sometimes she cleans to be nice and sometimes she cleans the homes of other owls to make money. Chabray has a job, she gets food for other owls. The place that she gets food from is called The Woods. Worms and raw creatures are always the best meals. For fun, she plays with her siblings. They play hide-and-seek. Her best hiding place is between leaves and branches, trying to be camouflaged. She goes to school and is a good student. He best subject is reading and math.


Kobe Bass (Kindergarten)

My owl is names Johnny. He likes to go to the park and get water and ice cream. His favorite ice cream is chocolate. At the park he likes to go on the slides and the monkey bars. He really loves school, especially math. He also loves to go the movies. He likes to watch funny ones that make him laugh. His favorite color is purple. 

Renee Kindred (3rd Grade) Angel Benitez (1st Grade) Icyst Lay (1st Grade)

Blu, Angel, Lily are sitting on a tree relaxing. They got bored. They decided they wanted to do something fun! They left the woods and headed to the city. They decided they would play tag flying from building to building. After they played and flew all over the city, they got hungry. They flew into a bakery and no one saw them. They were able snag some chocolate cupcakes. Then they got thirsty. They flew around in search of a lemonade stand. The stand worker tried to shoo away the owls but they were able to drink some lemonade. The owls were tired from their adventure in the city and flew back home to the woods. They went to sleep.


By Levii Rodriguez (3rd Grade)

There was an owl named Miles in the sky flying. Miles saw another owl flying and asked his name. Then the owl told him there is a village of eagles that are against us owls. He asked Miles to go to his home and barricade his home with tree branches. Caleb didn’t realize the distance his home was and the eagles came and took him. Miles found out what happened and tried to save Caleb. Miles found the eagles hideout. He gave a statement “That all animals are different but they are still animals and if you could leave Caleb alone, that would be great.” The eagles didn’t listen. Miles was upset and flew away to go get other owls. The eagles came to the area where the owls were. They fought but the owls that Miles asked for help were huge! The eagles got scared and flew away! Caleb was saved! Caleb and Miles became best friends!


Achilles McCaster (Kindergarten)

My owl is named Goku. He is strong and can lift up a rock with his claws. With his beak, he can lift a lady up too! He is in super sane mode, which means he is extra strong. Goku can shoot fireballs. He can teleport so he can get some chili dogs. He can fly fast. He likes to fly to the beach and everywhere else he can go. At the beach he likes to swim and do cannonballs. 

Nature Prints

The students went outside to look for material in nature such as leaves, branches, and pebbles. Using acrylic paint they created Nature Prints. 

Flower's for You

In celebration of Mother's Day, the students made a bouquet of flowers for their mother, guardian, and/or loved on in celebration. 

Day of the Dead

The students created masks in celebration of Day of the Dead. It's a national holiday that celebrates life and death widely in Latin America and originated in Mexico. 

Chinese New Year

The students created a sculptured rabbit in celebration of  Chinese New Year 2023, the year of the rabbit. 

Christmas 

In celebration of Christmas the students created Christmas trees. 

Groundhog Day

The students created their own ground hogs in light of ground hog day. 

Love Day 

The students created love characters in celebration of Valentine's Day. 

Ghosts

The students created ghost prints in celebration of Halloween. 

Fun Building 

With all the projects and activities Ms. Shenequa and Ms. Pineda plan there are days where the students are not their best or not feeling up to doing any projects. When that happens we have them build objects that allow them to think creatively and play. 

Thank you to all of the sponsors and those who support Chicago Arts Partnership in Education Teaching Artists and Teachers. Ms. Shenequa and Ms. Pineda enjoy collaborating every year and witness the positive impact SCALE has on our students. The Art Factory allows the students to be their authentic selves through this creative space. 

Thank you!