Monster Exchange takes place in the makerspace at Chester Elementary

Seventh grade students from Crisseda Besson’s home economics class lined up in the makerspace at Chester Elementary School last Tuesday morning with goodie bags in their hands, as first graders from Alissa Florentino’s class sat with excitement, ready to receive their new plush monster. Initiatives with students in different grade levels foster community between younger and older students in a creative nature by sharing ideas and creating connections between one another. Additionally, these types of events allow students to express their artistic abilities. 

Back in October, first grade students were tasked with drawing their own monsters in art class. Once the drawings were complete, they were sent to students in Ms. Besson’s class to be brought to life.

Ms. Besson teaches seventh grade students how to sew and different techniques in the craft. Seventh graders then used what they learned and put their knowledge to the test.

“It was very fun and creative making the monsters,” said Adriana Chinchilla, a seventh grader at CA. “I really enjoyed giving it to the kids because they seemed really happy.” 

Students carefully crafted replicas of the first graders masterpieces, adding details from the drawings to the plush creatures. 

“It was exciting, like I was opening a birthday present!” Skyler Rodriguez, a first grader at CES said about what it was like receiving her monster plushie. “I like how the details I drew on my picture came to real life on my monster.”