When Your Sixth Grader Comes Home Asking For a Laminator For Their Birthday.....This is Why...

Who knew a laminator could be the coolest thing in the world?  Well, this week it is.  And I'm very sorry when your 6th grade child starts asking for one for Christmas (because many already asked me how much they are and where they could get one).  LOL!

This, my friends, is the coolest process we have done in a long time. 

Students are working on their graffiti unit in art class.  It has led to some great discussions on the legal issues involved with street artists.  We talked about why the art world doesn't always accept street art as a legitimate art style but how street artists are gaining popularity and can make millions for their work even though it is not always accepted as a legitimate form of art.  

6th graders are looking at different graffiti fonts and styles using a few different graffiti writer websites.  They can use these fonts or come up with their own to create different words or pictures in a graffiti style.  One of their words has to be completed entirely using colored sharpies.  And one of their words has to be done in foil, hence the laminator.

How the process works: 

-Students create their sketch in pencil
-The sketch is outlined/filled in with black sharpie.
-A photo copy is made of their sharpied work
-Heat sensitive foil (is placed on top of the photo copy) and rolled through the laminator (minus the plastic wrap).  The heat from the laminator melts the ink from the photo copier and heats the heat-transfer foil up.  The ink and the transfer foil stick together). 
-The foil is peeled away and leaves you with these awesome foiled graffiti letters

 Here is a video of the process (courtesy of me):

Students at work: