Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Papier Mache Snowmen



This is also a hit every year with first grade. We make the painted snowmen (posted below) and then make 3-D snowmen. We talk about how the two artworks are the same/different. This really helps sink in the difference between 2D and 3D and shape and form.

Dream Snow Snowman Paintings





In Art class, first graders read the book, Dream Snow by Eric Carle. Students created art like Carle by painting snow over their snowmen on a transparency like Carle did in his book. Students learned how Carle creates his art and also learned the difference between authors and illustrators.
I do this lesson every year and it always turns out so cute!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Alligators and Crocodiles














Do you know how to tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? My third graders do! In Art class, the third graders have been learning the similarities and differences between alligators and crocodiles. They learned what it means to be cold-blooded, what a habitat is, and what the characteristics of a reptile are. Third graders worked on many art skills when creating their reptiles such as; drawing, cutting, gluing, weaving, stamping, and painting! Students put forth great effort in creating these giant works of art! Thank you Paintedpaper blog for this idea!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Emphasis Sculptures







I needed a one day lesson for a 4/5 split. I had lots of colorful blocks laying around that I thought the kids would have fun hot glueing together to make sculptures.
Students created these sculptures focusing on emphasis. Emphasis is the focus, main idea, or what “grabs” your attention. Students agreed the marble was the emphasis point on their sculptures for many reasons such as; color, shape and size.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Kandinsky Prints





In art class, first graders have been learning the difference between geometric and free-from shapes.
Students created abstract art just like the artist Kandinsky by drawing geometric and free-form shapes on sandpaper with crayons. Then they watched as the sandpaper was ironed onto paper to create these beautiful prints!

The Very Busy Spider




2nd graders were inspired by
Eric Carle’s book,
“The Very Busy Spider.”
Students learned how Eric Carle created his illustrations
in his books.
Like Carle, students painted large sheets of paper with bright colors and made designs in wet paint using their
paint brush handles!
2nd graders cut and glued their papers to create their own
very busy spiders!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Skull Shrink-y-dinks






After the 4th and 5th graders finsihed their day of the dead skull artworks, they created shrink-y-dink necklaces. They could trace a skull picture or create their own design. I shrink them right before their eyes in my toaster oven at school! The kids love it and they turned out very cool.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Day of the Dead Skeleton paintings!







thanks Barbara's thought of the day blog for this lesson! I just got 16 boxes of fake flowers, so this lesson came at a perfect time!

http://barbarasthoughtoftheday.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BarbarasThoughtOfTheDay+%28barbara%27s+thought+of+the+day%29#8576380871176990723

Q-tip Calacas!















In Art class, 2nd graders learned about the Mexican celebration,
The Day of the Dead.
On this day, families visit the graves of loved ones they have lost. Candles, marigold flowers, food and drinks are placed on the graves. This is a happy time for families, not a sad one. Many skulls and skeletons are seen during this celebration to represent the spirits of loved ones.
Students created Calacas
(handmade skeletons) using Q-tips!







Symmetrical Skull drawings













Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Clay Candy Corn Dishes




Thank you funart4kids.blogspot.com for the idea for these adorable clay candy corn dishes! The kids loved making them and I am getting a ton of complements from staff who see them displayed in the library!