Picasso Guitars - 4th grade

After working on Picasso inspired self portraits, students then created 3-D guitars.  Students had the option of working alone or with a partner (if working with a partner they had to figure out who would get to keep the guitars to avoid any arguments later). 
First, students had to study and draw a guitar in their sketchbooks.  Then, after learning what materials they would have available (cardboard, tape, glue, tooth picks, Styrofoam, straws, packing peanuts, pipe-cleaners, string), they had to plan on how they would build/assemble their guitar.

All the students dove right into the activity and seemed to be very happy with the results.  My room was always a disaster area after the 4th graders left, but through this activity they had a cross-curricular art experience, learned to work with a partner, had to problem solve, and were extremely creative.