*Thanks again to MaryMaking for the great idea!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
5th Grade Fireflies and Moonlight
*Thanks again to MaryMaking for the great idea!
Second Grade Self-Portraits with Mexican "Turquoise" Necklaces
My Alden Elementary Art Curriculum is set up so that all the students, grades K-5, learn about the same artists or cultures throughout the year, but create different art projects that are age/skill specific. It is great as a teacher who teaches 6 grade levels to create one huge display/learning center instead of 6 different displays, but more importantly, my curriculum was designed this way so that siblings would be able to carry on the art discussion and learning at home. So many times I'll hear a student say, "My brother is learning about this artist, too!" Or, a parent will let me know that they heard all about an artist at the dinner table and each child had something new to contribute to the conversation.
So, that's why you'll see every grade level doing a project based on the same artist!
Second Grade artists drew beautiful self-portraits, but I have to say that my, and many of the other teachers, favorite part of this project was the Mexican "Turquoise" Necklaces the students added to their self-portraits.
After learning about Frida Kahlo and how she would dress up in lots of fabulous Mexican clothing and jewelry, the students discovered the history and tradition of Mexican turquoise jewelry. Next, the students mixed turquoise paint with Crayola's Model Magic to create a beautiful "clay" relief pendant that was strung with beads and used to accessorized their self-portraits.
Second Grade Artists coloring their self-portraits...
Picking background papers...
Putting it all together with their homemade "turquoise" necklaces...
So, that's why you'll see every grade level doing a project based on the same artist!
Second Grade artists drew beautiful self-portraits, but I have to say that my, and many of the other teachers, favorite part of this project was the Mexican "Turquoise" Necklaces the students added to their self-portraits.
After learning about Frida Kahlo and how she would dress up in lots of fabulous Mexican clothing and jewelry, the students discovered the history and tradition of Mexican turquoise jewelry. Next, the students mixed turquoise paint with Crayola's Model Magic to create a beautiful "clay" relief pendant that was strung with beads and used to accessorized their self-portraits.
Second Grade Artists coloring their self-portraits...
Picking background papers...
Putting it all together with their homemade "turquoise" necklaces...Kindergarten Self-Portraits
Kindergarten artists made these fun self-portraits after studying the self-portraits of Frida Kahlo, a famous Mexican painter. They traced an oval for the shape of their head, but the rest was done all by themselves. I taught this lesson using what I call my "follow-the-leader" style. It's amazing what young children can accomplish! The colorful backgrounds were inspired by the book "I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!" We painted colorful patterns, just like the boy in the story who painted his leg like an Easter egg.
*This idea was inspired by another art teacher who read this same book to her class and made self-portraits...which I could remember who it was to properly thank her or him...
Alden Community Education: Pottery For Kids
I wish I had in-action photographs of my Pottery for Kids class offered in the evenings through the Alden Community Education Program, but my hands are just way to messy to touch a camera when I'm teaching that class:-)
The students absolutely love the class. I now offer the classes as "Special Projects." The first night the students create their clay pieces. The second night they glaze all their pieces. I usually offer 3 special projects during the Fall semester and three special projects during the Spring semester. Some students have taken all 6 classes this year! It's for all students, grades K-6.
So far this year, we've made hand-built ceramic kitchen sponge holders (frogs, snakes, flowers and monsters galore!), fish platters, mother's day coil-build flower pots and plant markers, pumpkin plates, turkey bowls, and Christmas ornaments!
The students absolutely love the class. I now offer the classes as "Special Projects." The first night the students create their clay pieces. The second night they glaze all their pieces. I usually offer 3 special projects during the Fall semester and three special projects during the Spring semester. Some students have taken all 6 classes this year! It's for all students, grades K-6.
So far this year, we've made hand-built ceramic kitchen sponge holders (frogs, snakes, flowers and monsters galore!), fish platters, mother's day coil-build flower pots and plant markers, pumpkin plates, turkey bowls, and Christmas ornaments!
Third Grade Favorite Book Self-Portrait
This has truly become one of my absolute favorite projects of all time (also, a very time-consuming one as well!)! The 3rd graders first studied the life and art of Frida Kahlo, with special attention to her many self-portraits. Then, we very carefully drew realistic self-portraits. It is amazing to see the quality and care that they put into their portraits!
Once the portraits were finished, it was time to incorporate reading and writing into the Art room. Students wrote a book review for their favorite book and then acted as illustrators, designing a new cover for their book. I just loved how they all wanted to bring their book to Art and were so excited to share the book with me and others!
Perhaps a future author and illustrator?
Designing a cover illustration.
intensely working...
Once the portraits were finished, it was time to incorporate reading and writing into the Art room. Students wrote a book review for their favorite book and then acted as illustrators, designing a new cover for their book. I just loved how they all wanted to bring their book to Art and were so excited to share the book with me and others!
Perhaps a future author and illustrator? Designing a cover illustration.intensely working...
5th Grade Inspired by Marc Chagall
5th graders just finished an in-depth unit of study on Marc Chagall, a famous painter known for his dream-like paintings of love, workers, musicians, animals, and his many memories of childhood and village life. Chagall arranged his memories in paintings that were slightly cubist in style, which means that he showed many different viewpoints and ideas on a single picture plane. His paintings often look like a dream world with figures floating, forms dissolving and strong, vibrant colors inspired by emotions, not reality.
For this project, 5th grade artists first learned about the art and life of Marc Chagall through storybooks based on his autobiography and discussion of his artwork. Then, the students studied on of his famous paintings, Paris through the Window, and created their own mixed media (painting, paper, oil pastels, and digital photography) visual story story based on the same elements and principles of art demonstrated in Chagall's work.
5th Grade artists started their work of art with an abstract background like Chagall used in his painting. To re-create the "shattered mirror" feeling of a Cubist painting, our students used a straight edge to divide the background of their artwork into many angles and planes.
Students used just the primary colors (red, yellow and blue) and white to create unlimited colors for their background. Sponges gave the perfect texture and look for the image!
For this project, 5th grade artists first learned about the art and life of Marc Chagall through storybooks based on his autobiography and discussion of his artwork. Then, the students studied on of his famous paintings, Paris through the Window, and created their own mixed media (painting, paper, oil pastels, and digital photography) visual story story based on the same elements and principles of art demonstrated in Chagall's work.
5th Grade artists started their work of art with an abstract background like Chagall used in his painting. To re-create the "shattered mirror" feeling of a Cubist painting, our students used a straight edge to divide the background of their artwork into many angles and planes.
Students used just the primary colors (red, yellow and blue) and white to create unlimited colors for their background. Sponges gave the perfect texture and look for the image!
Kindergarten Patterned Paintings for Self-Portrait Backgrounds
These paintings became the background of the Kindergarten students' self-portraits (photos coming soon!). For this part of the project, Kindergarteners learned basic painting procedures and techniques while also focusing on line and pattern designs. They did a wonderful job using their brushes properly and creating a variety of designs that filled their papers.
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