Paper Cutting is practiced widely around the world, and Polish paper cutting, or Wycinanki is one of the most colorful forms of this art.  Originating in the mid-1800s, Wycinanki was practiced by the people of rural Poland.  The term "Wycinanki" is plural:  it refers to more than one paper cutout or the art form in general.  A single cutout is called "Wycinanka." 

Historically, Wyinanki has been cut using sheep shears because often they were the only cutting tools available to people in rural areas.  3rd, 4th, and 5th grades explored Wycinanki.  4th and 5th grades explored Gwiazda (GUYA-zdah) Wycinanki.  This round or star-shaped design is usually made with 8 or 16 repeats.  The basic, single color design is known as Kurpie style because itis a traditional design from that region of Poland.  Some students explored layering and all infused their designs with creative ideas.

8th Grade Students selected a work of art by a master painter from the Realism Art Style of 1840-1880 that they felt they could recreate.  Their first goal was to recreate the artwork by focusing on the values within the composition.  The second composition was to recreate the same artwork in paint.  Something completely different is visible in phase three of this assignment.