From Mrs. Takano's 3rd-4th grade class: "Students reviewed many types of mobiles. Then they brainstormed what we could make for our mobile. Ultimately one student passion for airplanes persuaded the group to settle on this theme. Students made a plane, clouds, and rain drops with their table partners."

From Ms. Carrillo's 4th grade class: "This was a student directed project that took place during lunch time."

From Mrs. De Leon's 4th grade class: "They individually created their own then brought their ideas together to create their masterpiece. Some students wanted, animals, other life, and others wanted nature, so they took that as inspiration and created Life. We all shared the common theme of space. We all collaborated on the elements of space that we wanted to include."

From Ms. Carrillo's 5th grade class: "Students worked during before school, during lunch, and afterschool on their art. "

From Mrs. Davis, Ms. Jannet, and Ms. Ruby's TK class: "We discussed and explored the changing season and read a book titled Fall Leaves Fall by Zoe Hall and Shari Halpern. We worked together coloring, cutting and assembling the mobile to create a finished project that conceptulized the changing leaves and balance."

HONORABLE MENTION: The fun of seeing the complete lesson in action made the judges smile. The use of the parachute to tie in the wind was clever, and the resulting mobile with clothespins was colorful and fun. Good job!

From Ms. Erum and Mrs. Garcia's TK/K class: "The students decorated paper clothing pieces and hang on on string clothesline-then make them move using wind (fan, breath, waving hands). We also integrated parachute for movement and another way of making it fun."

From Sra. Green's 1st grade class: "Our process included drawing and then constructing in groups of 3."

From Mrs. Ana Gomez, Miss Gonzalez, Mrs. Gracey, and Miss Flores 2nd grade classes: "Students were given the definition of kinetic art and why it is a form of art. They were shown the different components of how and why these come together to make it kinetic; such as the importance of shape and space to be able to make the art forms move easily within the space given. Color was taught as a form of bringing "life" to the art where the variety of colored paper was used by the students in a way to create shade, depth, shine for the different parts of the dragon and castle. The orange groves were added to represent our city of Riverside. Finally, they learned the importance of putting these components in different parts of their art in a collaborative way, exchanging ideas such as placing different shades of green on the dragon and tree branches to create light. All of this helped them see the importance of cooperating and exchanging ideas in unity; appreciating collaborative methods of creativity. Therefore our art represents a unified effort of creativity through art."

From Ms. Julia Clark's 4th grade class: "I showed students the slides, then they had an opportunity to sketch their own individual ideas. The following day we looked at some more examples and students worked on their ideas as a table group before they started creating their mobile." 

From Sra. Clark's 6th grade class: "1) A few students drew quick sketches of ideas for the project.  2) The group got to choose which they thought was the best choice with the materials and time we had. 3) All students got to color a piece that would be added to the piece. 4) The items were organized. 5) The lead group got to work in assembling the piece - making sure to periodically check their work as they were looking for the sweet balance."

From Ms. Cruz and Ms. Kass' TK class: "We watched a video about planets, cut, glue, create"

From Mrs. Rubio and Ms. Hurtado's 5th grade class: "Students brainstormed possible designs. During Fun Friday, students worked on creating and on deciding where to attach their work."

From Mrs. Nieto's 5th grade class: "We worked collaboratively in groups."

From Mrs. Deconinck's TK class: "Our process included coloring, attaching pictures to the mobile, adding feathers."

From Miss Villalobos' 4th grade class: "Students worked in small groups to create tissue-paper butterflies and write kind affirmation notes. These were then brought together on a balanced wood-stick mobile so the colorful messages move and catch the eye. Thank you for giving our class the opportunity to participate in this project. The Kindness in Motion mobile was not only fun to create, but it also sparked meaningful classroom discussions about how we can show kindness to ourselves and others. This was a wonderful way to blend creativity with character building in our classroom."

From Ms. Vazquez and Mrs. Theuer's TK class: "We talked about different kinetic creations that others have made and showed examples. Students came up with ideas of what they wanted their kinetic creation to be. We talked about balance and things that would be great at balancing on our kinetic creation. Students then received card stock and were able to draw their apples/apple products and cut them out. They then decided if they wanted to use feathers or beads or other material such as the metallic paper to help their creations balance. Some worked in groups of four and five while others worked in pairs or individually. They were able to choose how they worked. After everything was done with their kinetic creation, we placed them on the larger rod to display all of their Kinetic creations."

From Mrs. Gonzalez' 5th and 6th grade class: "We brainstormed ideas together then voted for our top 3. Then out of the top 3 we voted for the favorite. We then drew models of our mobiles and put them in categories. We then voted on the favorite design. We then split into stars and planets to divide the work. Then we formed the planets and stars then attached them with fishing line to the stick."

From Mrs. Freeman's kindergarten class: "We voted as a class on the themed of our paper mobile. We also voted on what characters we wanted to include. We picked three - zombie, creeper, and steve. Students picked the best of their drawings to add to the mobile. We tried different ways of securing the drawings to the wooden dowel (tape, glue stick, hot glue, tying once or twice). It was a lot of trial and error. We didn't figure out how to balance it perfectly, but we did learn that if you hold it a certain way, it will stay balanced."

From Miss Joana, Mr. N, Miss. C, and Mrs. Miller's 2nd grade class: "They had supplies and were so excited to utilize the feathers and string. They collaborated their ideas and really enjoyed the acrylic paint markers too. We are therapeutic social emotional step SDC especial education and so class and we discussed art therapy and how art makes us feel calm and happy. It was a wonderful experience for all of us thanks so much for all the supplies. We are a very creative class and had a blast creating our Kinetic creation :)"

From Ms. Segura's 3rd grade class: "The students first learned about Kinetic Creations. Next, they came up with ideas as a group and we chose the best ones. After we got to the designing part and were making sure we had things balancing and attached correctly."

From Mrs. Ortega-Koelling and staff Ms. Jill, Ms. Liz, Mrs. N, Ms. Jenelle, Mr. Eduardo and student teacher Mrs. Giselle's 1st & 2nd grade Mild/Moderate SDC class: "Our students had to think of something that they liked/represented them. They were asked to color and cut the items. With the help of the teacher, student teacher and staff, their items were hung on the mobile."

From Mrs. Masi and Miss Kait's 2nd grade class: "After going through the PowerPoint, I presented my class with a theme- oranges and asked what images we could create. They came up with all of the different objects and then chose their top object they wanted to make. My aide and I worked with students in small groups to make their creations. All of the artwork was drawn, colored, and cut out by the students. I assembled it, but after I showed them how it was balanced and what happens if you move something even slightly and how I moved things to get it re-balanced."

From Mr. Ramos' 3rd grade class: "The students view the slide show that was provided. I instructed them to come up with a theme. From there, the kids took over. I just helped them with time management."

From Mrs. Salazar's 3rd grade class: "The students decided on a theme first. They had to really think about what they could hang. It was between the planets and ocean theme. I had them think about what they would like to represent. They went on their computers to research and they decided planets would be more fun. They took 4 days to make this, with about 20 minute increments. The students put a lot of thought into this. I saw them looking up the planets to make sure they were creating them realistically. The order they had put the planets in were correct and the additional hanging pictures were thought about to. For example, a student mentioned that they didn't want the UFO so close to the sun or it would burn. However, too close to the black hole and it would get sucked in. Very fun activity for them!"

From Mrs. Carlos' 2rd grade class: "Students cut and decorated each piece. They carefully attached the pieces with string and tape. We hung the mobile and tested how it moved in the air."

From Mrs. Arteaga's 2nd grade class: "Our class has been learning about solids in science. We made a list of the various shapes solids can come in. Students drew and cut out various shapes in a variety of sizes. Other students painted the beads and skewers. A smaller group took all the items and ties them to the long stick and worked together to try to balance the shapes."

From Ms. Heavilin and Ms. Sanchez' 2nd grade class: "Students made solids shapes using paper, tape, staples, crayons, pencils and markers. The student teacher helped to assist students in making the wood dowels stay together with rubber bands and yarn.  Students hung up their solid shapes with tape on the thread. This was an exciting a creative way for students to display their art work. "

From Ms. Audrey, Ms. Sylvia, Ms. Kayla, Ms. Emily, and Ms. Layla's TK/K class: "The students colored and decorated a superhero template."

From Ms. Ritt's 1st grade class: "The students helped by creating the drawings. They also colored and cut out their pictures as well as putting it together on the strings."

From Mr. Daniel, Ms. Nayeli, Ms.Tina, Ms. Elizabeth's 2nd grade class: "We started off by creating the stick structure and then attached the paper ghosts and pumpkins to it."

From Mrs. Gutierrez' 2nd grade class: "First we watched the slides for kinetic creations. Students drew birds and added colors and feathers. Then they cut them and used stings to tie them. Finally, they worked together to hang them and figure out how to balance them."

From Mrs. Nichols' 2nd grade class: "Students first practiced how to draw their chosen image. They then drew it as a final draft using a permanent black marker. They then chose colors that represent them and drew on foil. We then sprayed water on top and they pressed their paper down. We waited for it to dry and laminated the drawings to keep the paper form curling."

From Miss Keisling's 2nd grade class: "Student drew parrots and hummingbirds from our Cuba study. They used markers, crayons, and colored pencils to bring the birds to life.  Next, they glued, bright colored papers to the back of their drawings, creating a two-sided image when the birds were cut out. Finally birds, beads and  ribbon were added to the hanging mobile."

From Mrs. Nicholas' 2nd grade class: "They all picked what they wanted to draw."

From Ms. Lucilla, Ms. Adilene, and Ms. Ana's 3rd grade class: "The students wanted to make their own ecosystem, with the help of paper and pipe cleaners."

From Ms. Shelsie, Ms. Danee, and Ms. Anahy's 4th grade class: "They helped creating the seaweed with the ribbons. They helped balanced the stick and using pipe cleaners to make a more 3D creature. They used string to make sure nothing was clashing together. They made bracelets with ocean color pearls."

From Ms. Kayla, Ms. Natalie, and Ms. Angel's 5th grade class: "Our students each had the opportunity to share their ideas for themes they would like to create for our creation. Once we collectively decided on outer space, each student had the chance to make an outer space themed craft. Some students made aliens with cups and paint, other students crafted rockets out of toilet paper rolls, and other students made aliens out of popsicle sticks. Once all their crafts were done, we tied and hung them in order to balance the rod."

From Ms. Carla, Mr. Andy, and Mr. Leo's 6th grade class: "The students drew each drawing on paper and even colored them. Additionally, they helped put it together on the rod."

From Mr. Gonzalez' 6th grade class: "Students chose a theme, drew, colored and then glued any papers. Once the drawings and pieces were complete, students hole punched them and tied a string on them. Finally students tied the string pieces onto a small or main rod, and started to balance everything. This project was fun for students because it required teamwork and productive struggle."

From Mrs. Smith's Kindergarten class: "Using crayons to color a template on paper."

From Mrs. Gull's Kindergarten class: "The students colored their crayon."

From Mrs. Moreno's Kindergarten class: "The students colored, cut, and taped to mobile."

From Mrs. Lopez's Kindergarten class: "My students chose their own shape of leaf & colored them whatever they wanted. Some chose realistic leaves & some chose rainbow leaves. They colored & cut them out. I wanted to make sometimes that looked similar to a wind chime so I used the yarn to hold the leaves. We had a fun time making it!"

HONORABLE MENTION: The judges were able to see the representations of air through the students’ unique drawings and creations. Good use of multiple materials in the kit. Good work!

From Mrs. Kirkemo's 3rd grade class: "Students were shown the video Art in Motion. We discussed what size and design would work on a mobile. Students were given design sheet to design their creation. Student were then given material after their design was approved. Student worked several days on their mobile creations and handed them in. The mobile was put together and we discussed how it is balanced through their art."

From Mrs. Ippolito and Mrs. Lee's TK class: "Students were shown the video and slide deck provided. We talked about movement and creativity. Students were called to the back table in small groups and allowed to explore and create with the provided materials. We then took everyone’s individual work and created a class masterpiece."

HONORABLE MENTION: The use of the natural sticks elevated this mobile and the variety of birds and colors made the arrangement seem to fly! Good job!

From Mrs. McBride and Miss Natalie's 2nd grade class: "This project was completed over a span of several days. Students were first given pictures of birds and flowers that were printed on card stock. They used the acrylic paint markers from the kit to color them. Then, they cut them out. I punched holes in the birds and flowers and students worked together to connect their flowers to hang below their bird using fishing line. After that, each table group was given a branch. Then they worked together to help each other tie each of their art pieces to the branch, working to maintain balance (each branch has four or five hanging pieces). Next, a table group at a time experimented to find the center of gravity or balance by trying to balance their branch on one finger. Once that was found, they marked the spot and tied a long piece of fishing line to it. Then, they tied the other end of it to our main, larger hanging branches that I previously constructed in a cross so that there were four arms to connect to. Each table took a turn to attach their branch to the larger Maine cross branches, so that all of their work was suspended from the crossed branches. They found that some hanging individual art pieces had to be moved to correct imbalances. Some fishing line was tied too tightly, so some struggled to move it as it would not slide easily on the rough branches where there were knobby parts. To medicate that, additional birds were added, where needed in an attempt to make everything balanced."

HONORABLE MENTION: A fun group creation that ended with a colorful and moveable curtain of dots. A great way for all the students to connect to the kinetic piece. Good job!

From Mrs. Erlandson's 1st grade class and parent helpers Miss Kathy and Miss Emilie: "Wow! What a fun long process! See our slide deck for more about our process."

From Mrs. Cortez-Sheldon and Mrs. Dominguez-Murillo's 5th grade class:

From Mrs. Jarquin's 2nd grade class: "Students colored, they cut, pasted and helped assemble our project. Enjoy our creation!"

From Mrs. Figueroa's 2nd grade class: "Students worked on the project by tablet group. They discussed about what materials they had available and how to use them. Some had ideas about what to do right away, while others needed time to think about what to make."

From Mr. Bautista's 2nd grade class: "Students cut-out some circle-shaped papers and glue some feathers on the popsicle sticks and put them together to create a colorful feathery creation."

From Mrs. Corrigan’s 2nd grade class: "Our class was involved in decision making, planning, gathering materials, creating groups based on interest, sharing ideas, and collaborating to make their idea come to life. We learned about balance and trial and error."

From Ms. Zavala's 3rd grade class: "They each chose to make something that is unique to them. They are individuals with their own qualities and likes. However, when they come together, they are a team and they can create a beautiful masterpiece."

From Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Godinez' 3rd and 4th grade class: "First students thought about what kind of items would be under the sea. Then they created art pieces to represent these ideas. Finally, we moved each piece around on the rods to find the perfect balancing positions."

HONORABLE MENTION: The creatures the students created were charming and the unique cup-creatures showed amazing kinetic ability—more than one would have guessed. Good job!

From Mrs. Mendoza's 3rd grade class: "Students chose their supplies from an assortment of craft materials. They spent an hour making them with little assistance from the teacher. The teacher and tutors put the mobiles together."

From Mrs Maxwell's 3rd grade class: "I placed a variety of items to choose from and let the students choose what they wanted to create."

From Mrs. Berry's 3rd grade class: "I showed the slideshow on the beginning of mobiles. Students created and designed their artwork to display. We discussed how we could fit all on the mobile to ensure balance."