When Ridgecroft School's teacher Kim Kirby flipped the switch on her 2023–2024 printmaking unit, the room lit up with creativity—thanks to a Bright Ideas grant from Roanoke Cooperative.
With funding from the grant, Mrs. Kirby stocked her classroom with the tools her sixth through twelfth graders needed to explore multiple forms of printmaking. The journey began with students carving designs into pink erasers, inking them, and seeing their first prints come to life. From there, they etched patterns into Styrofoam plates, then experimented with color, texture, and repetition.
The creativity flowed as students moved on to linoleum block printing, using lino cutters to shape intricate designs. The results were impressive—each print unique and full of personality. A highlight of the unit was Gyotaku, the traditional Japanese art of fish printing, recreated with rubber fish. It was a fun challenge to turn the rounded shapes into flat, detailed prints.
For their grand finale, students printed their Chinese zodiac animals on dyed fabric, producing bold, dynamic tapestries that showcased both skill and imagination.
Mrs. Kirby summed it up best: “Thank you so much, Roanoke Cooperative, for contributing to make our printmaking unit possible.”
The Bright Ideas program helps teachers like Mrs. Kirby turn innovative concepts into hands-on learning experiences. Applications for the 2024–2025 school year are open now—but only until September 15th. If you’re a teacher with a project that could energize your students, this is your chance to bring it to life.
⚡ Apply now and let your Bright Idea power up your classroom!
Click here to learn more about Bright Ideas
