Actually, if you’re expecting this post to be about a new mythical scene in Kendra Kandlestar and the Search for Arazeen, then you’re wrong! My title of this post refers to last week’s class in my “Picture Perfect” workshop, which focuses on creative writing assignments connected to art history.
Last week, my students took inspiration from Leonardo Da Vinci and started designing their own inventions. Many of them were rather fantastical, others intensely practical (one of my favourite inventions was the prototype of a trap that was designed to capture the raccoons that are ever so determined to break into my house).
After the inventions were designed and built, we pretended we were on the TV Show, Dragon’s Den, in which would-be entrepreneurs try to sell their ideas to investors. In this case, the investor was ME!
Last step The students began writing short stories connected to their creations.
Here are some photos from the workshop.
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The diagrams below are for a taste changer. Don’t like broccoli? Then this machine will solve all your woes!
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Here’s a prototype of the taste changer, mid construction.
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This photo shows the raccoon catcher in the background and an automatic dressing machine in the foreground.
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How about a magic cookie jar that provides any type of cookie?
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This student didn’t quite complete the prototype for her very intricately designed clockwork heart.
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Here’s a photo of the completed automatic dressing machine prototype.
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And, last but not least, every kid’s dream—a homework machine!
Between the Cracks of Here and There 
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