Doric, Ionic, Chorinthian Columns Made From Cardboard

My art class went from studying Ancient Egyptian to Ancient Greece. We watched videos and students turned in five facts about Greece that they learned. We discussed the contributions that the Greeks have made to western civilization, theatre, philosophy, and the Olympics. Our government buildings in the U.S. mimic the temples of ancient Greece because our government is modeled after their democratic system of government: one citizens, one vote. The symmetrical balance of the buildings brings with it the ideals of peace and balanced government. The columns are either  the simple doric style of the Parthenon, or the ionic with it's rolled scrolls at the top. The corinthian capitol is the fanciest of the three with it's carved carved leaves. The historical order of the columns can be remembered by the progression in the number of syllables for each name, as well as the level of detail.  The columns were made in drums and strung on a pole like enormous beads. Then the fluting was carved, making vertical shadows that change with the sun.

We were able to get our fluting by wetting a top layer of cardboard with a brush and water. After a minute or two it should be easy to peel off that layer the cardboard, revealing the corrogated center. Students painted using white acrylic or tempera paint, making sure that the strokes went in the direction of the creases to get it in the creases. Rolling and hot gluing the cardboard is the next step before adding the capitol with cut and paint cardboard. Hot glue works best.

I took ideas from the "5 facts" writing assignment and printed out the ideas in large print. Students Brailled clear sticker paper so that my low vision and blind students could both access the media. I hot glued the circles to a Venn Diagram as well as the edges of visual aids from our discussions. Students were assessed by where they placed  each word or phrase.  I don't want them leaving my class thinking that pyramids and mummies were part of Ancient Greece nor that Corinthian columns and theater were from Ancient Egypt. Three grades and entire civilization is not a shabby way to spend a week in Art class.