Kindergarten students made their own work, but students grades 2-4 were asked to make a drawing to get the project moving, said Ricki Rosen, art teacher.

"The artist picked what she felt would work best in this process," Rosen said.

Stitzlein chose 18 to 20 pieces drawn by students, projected those onto brown paper to create a larger version, and cut the design out of plywood with a jigsaw.

The plywood pieces Stitzlein returned to the school were painted by students, Rosen said.

"We referred back to the designs and use the bottle caps to enhance for color and design work," she said.

About 15 parent and grandparent volunteers joined students Nov. 23-24 to help drill the bottle caps into plywood.

The whole project was inspired by the book Beatrice's Goat.

The children's book is based on the true story of Beatrice Biira, an impoverished Ugandan girl, who is able to afford to go to school when Heifer International donated a goat to her family, Rosen said.

Because of the story, students will not keep their art.

The school's Kids Care Club will help with the sale of the work at silent auction from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in the school's multi-purpose room. Proceeds will go to Heifer International.

Rosen said the project was a result of herself and Kay Williamson brainstorming about integrating art and reading.

"Our Kids Care is going to be having a bake sale," Rosen said.

"All those proceeds are both going to Heifer International."

Heifer International's mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth.

"For more than 60 years, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income," according to its Web site.

The funds will go toward the purchase of animals, Rosen said.