Artist of the Week:  Donatello 1386 - 1466 Born in Florence he lived to be eighty. He is known as the most influential artist of the 15th century. At the age of 17 he was assistant to the master Ghiberti and later became the founder of modern sculpture.  His sculpture "David" is well known by every generation. His life can be seen through a letter written in 1525 by Pietro Summonte to Marcantonio Michiel:  "In the days of our fathers there lived in Florence Donatello, a rare man who was rough and simple in everything but his sculpture, in which many believe that no one has been greater than he.  He executed many unusual objects and, talented though he was in his art, he was just as amenable and quick in expediting his many works, which can be admired to this day in various places."

Site of the Week:  Donatello

Other Sites to check out: Image of David by Donatello

                                 Iconographic route/The deposition - Donatello

                                 Read up on the "Renaissance"

                                 Donatello - encarta Encyclopedia Article

Word of the Week: imitational: Imitational art represents or imitates something in the world we know and  is drawn by the artist as he or she saw it.

Art Project: _Sand_tastic Sculptures!

You will need: sand, cornstarch, water, large saucepan, toothpicks, extras like tina sea shells or beads and a small paper plate.

Make your sand clay:  Measure 2 cups sand, 1 cup cornstarch and 1 1/2 cups of water into a saucepan.  Mix well and cook over medium heat until it thickens into a clay-like consistency.  Remove from heat and allow to cool. This amount will make 2 portions that you can put in plastic bags until your ready to use.

Ready to sculpt! Using your plate as your base use your sand clay to make a sand castle (or any other object of your hearts desire)!  If you need to use your toothpicks as armatures (remember this word from a previous lesson) then insert the toothpick into the base of the clay to build upon for strength.  Your beads can be stuck on the toothpicks or into the clay itself for decoration.  Left out of the plastic bag you sculpture will air dry in a couple of days.  You can discuss shapes while making your castles.  You will use a square or rectangle for the main castle....cylinder towers or cone shaped roofs.  Your moat will be made with the outer edge rounded into a circle. Triangles can be placed around the roof line for the archers!  Can you think of a shape I missed that you can use?

Optional Art Project: Check out this site and make a Handprint Paperweight!

Science Project: Playdough Science includes all the recipes for science experiments you could want!

History Project: We have seen a lot of sculptures in our sites this week.  I thought it might be interesting to read up on How Sculpture is (and isn't) Made or you can check out this site How a Sculpture is Made!

Writing Project:  Now that you've made your sand castle can you find a book in the library about a real one or a story about one?  Write a paper about what you read.

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