Process

Exploration
It is essential to practice using materials to investigate, discover and understand experientially the expressiveness of their formal qualities. The resulting collection, or experimental manipulation of 3D objects, is research; vocabulary and reference may be extended by verbal description, informational writing or narrative procedure. Choices in color, line and shape express individuality in the same way as selecting words to describe.   Dumpster Diamonds provide endless, varied opportunity for exploration and creation!

Sketch
Artists, like writers, work out their ideas quickly at first, sometimes many ideas, to get started, and may rework their sketches or rough drafts many times or may change their ideas completely.   Structures and arrangements resulting from exploration of 3D materials are another form of sketching ideas and may be drawn or photographed routinely to record the process. Sketching ideas is like planning an outline in writing.

Structure
Keeping a "process" portfolio for each child is essential to contain their body of work as paralleled to the drafting process and collection of research in the writing process.   This implement provides a place to retain references, ideas, and experiments to aid in reflection and the editing/revision process. Folders and journal/sketchbooks are included as needed to organize sketches, written reflections, records of assessment and explorations within the portfolio.

Reflection
It is important to see your own work from a distance to get a different perspective, and revise it if necessary to clarify your intention (adding or deleting details).   Independent problem solving and seeking advice from peers and facilitators is another vital aspect of reflection. It is helpful to compare and contrast your work to the work of others, ask questions of other artists and respond to each-others work. On going revisiting of developing ideas through the portfolio collection is an integral part of the learning process.

Symbols
Shapes, lines or colors represent other things or feelings like on a map or in math or writing. A selection of objects tells a story of individual interest and or experience symbolically.   For example, Adding details and descriptive elements in portraiture is like character development in a story. Objects divulge stories about their imagined or actual origination as well as become representational. Symbols and Objects relate to similar objects in the environment.

Presentation
It is important to take pride in our work and that of others. Artists show "work in progress" and demonstrate what they are learning and communicating, even if they have not yet realized their goal completely. It takes time and a lot of practice and revision to master an idea or practice.   Title, date and commentary track development and enrich the viewer's understanding of the unseen process.   (We are not born walking)(People that are not super-star athletes enjoy physical activity because they know it is good for their health)

Core Concepts

Color
Sort materials: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, gray, black and white
• Organize colors into the color wheel, choose a secondary colored object and find objects that have the source primary colors.
• Associate colors to feelings, moods or weather like hot/cold, loud/quiet and happy/sad.
• Select an object and make a face or body movement that matches the color.

Shape
Sort materials: Circle, square, triangle, rectangle, diamond, unique, sphere, cube, cone, & cylinder
• View Dumpster Diamonds from all directions and analyze for different basic shapes by perspective.
• Use varied adhesives, fabric shapes and/or cardboard shapes to create a collage.
• Arrange objects on construction paper and leave in the sun for the day to create sun prints

Space
Practice prepositions: in, on, under, over, between, behind, in front, etc.
• Describe placements throughout the manipulation of objects, “I see
the yarn and fabric are inside and between the cylinder shapes.”
• Ask children to tell the story of a material in their creation, “Can you
describe how you used the yarn?”
• Explore and discover what materials fit together!

Scale
Sort materials: tiny, small, medium, big, large, long, short, etc.
• Sequence Dumpster Diamonds by a progression in size.
• Create arrangements with objects symbolically representing everything in a specific environment!
• Show pictures of objects and compare them with the actual object.

Texture
Sort materials: Soft, hard, smooth, fuzzy, rough, slick, scratchy, etc.
• Match materials to familiar textures like clothes, floors, and soles of shoes
(Outside too!) For example, a color chip feels like a window.
• Place paper over every texture and use the paperless side of an oil pastel or
crayon to make texture rubbings.
• Use dark colors in a water-based paint over brightly colored rubbings on light
colored papers for oil or wax resist.

Balance
Sort materials: Light, heavy, equal, even, count, difference, same, weight
• Create endless, amazing structures by Stacking and building with interesting variety.
• Experiment with different objects at each end of flat, long plexi-glass or wood pieces balanced on top of Cone and Tube bases.
• See how all of the differently shaped cores and cones roll down an incline.

Write us a letter

Dear Friend of Trash for Teaching,

If you have already experienced a visit from the Treasure Truck, participated in professional development, or purchased materials, then you are already familiar with our mission:

To inspire creative expression and environmental awareness in children through unique recycled objects

You can greatly help us get funding (so eventually we can offer our services & materials for free) and continue to get more items donated by writing us a letter. Sometimes when we approach a grantmaker for funding or a manufacturer about donating his/her unique items, it isn't until they read a few "testimonial" letters that they say "absolutely! I'd love to donate." So please write us a letter with your thoughts.

Tell us about your experience and what you feel is the value of these materials and this program. It can be either on your organization's letterhead or just name your organization and your position there. It doesn't have to be long or fancy, just sincere.

It will only take you a few minutes but it will be very valuable to us and to the program.

Please mail, fax, or e-mail your letter to:

Trash for Teaching
1435 W. 139th Street
Gardena, CA 90249

Photo Release

If you (or your child) have participated in a Trash for Teaching event and you would like to have photographs taken during the event used in Trash for Teaching promotional materials please download and complete the form.

Click below to open our PDF Photo Release form.

PHOTO FORM >

< back to top