2nd Grade- Clay Turtle Containers

This was a two day project. 

Day 1- we started by making a pinch pot for the bottom. Then I told the students to make 4 little coils, the size of tootsie rolls for the legs. We attached the legs by scoring and slipping. Next we made a sphere for the head and a cone for the tail. These were also attached. Then I had students create another pinch pot for the shell. Lastly, students decorated the shell and fac using clay tools.

Day 2- we painted using watercolors. 

Kindergarten- Pinch Pots

This was a two day lesson

Day1-we read the book, The Pot that Juan Built. Then we discussed how clay comes from the ground and it has to be fired in a kiln to become hard like glass. Each student then received a ball of clay to make their pinch pot. It is not visible in the picture but I gave students wooden sticks and Popsicle sticks to decorate their pot.

Day 2- we glazed and students made a card if they had time. 

Adaptive Art-Turkey

We started by reading 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving.

We then created the turkey. I already had feather shales cut out. Students used paint and texture rollers to create patterns on the feathers. Then we glued down the body and feathers to create the turkey. Students drew a circle in the middle of the body for the head. Lastly we glued on the eyes, beak, and waddle. 

Adaptive Art-Mayflower

We started by reading the book, How Many Days to America

Next we did a brown handprint in the middle of our paper. Next we painted on clouds and the ocean. Lastly, we glued sails onto our fingers. 

Adaptive Art-Hedgehog

We started this lesson by reading The Hat.

Students then colored and cut out the hedgehog body and glued it to green paper. Lastly, we glued leaves to the body for the spikes. 

Adaptive Art-Spider

We read the book The Very Busy Spider.

We then created a spider our of a construction paper circle, pipe cleaners, googley eyes,and dot stickers. 

Adaptive Art-Owl

We read the book The Busy Tree

Students thn create owls out of paper plates and markers.

5th Grade-Catalina Tiles

To begin this lesson we talked about the culture of The Catalina Island off the coast of California. We discussed how there are tiles all over the island. Every tile is symmetrical and creates a radial design.

Students created one fourth of the tile. We drew this design on half of a 4x4" piece of white paper folded diagonally. Students then went to the window and traced the design onto the other half of the paper. 

Next we transferred our design one a piece if foam by placing the paper on top if the foam and pressed down to create an impression in the foam. 

The following class, students took turns printing their foam block onto a 9 x 9" white paper into a radial design. We made sure that we printed tha same corner if the foam in the middle of the paper all 4 times we printed it. 

5th Grade Sugar Skulls

To begin this project we discussed the Day of the Dead. We discussed how sugar skulls are used during this holiday. 

Students created their own sugar skulls on black paper using construction paper crayons and silver sharpies. I had a template of the skull for the students to trace. 

4th Grade-Self portraits.

Day one-we drew in our sketchbooks and practice drawing realistic facial features. During this time we also talked that realistic facial proportions. We did this step-by-step together using the overhead projector, students also mirrors at their desk to make sure that the facial proportions I was telling about were correct.

Day two-students received a 6 x 9" piece of white paper. On this paper they drew their face at a realistic scale. They used pencil first and went then went over their lines with sharpie.

Day three-students color their portrait using markers or colored pencils. They glued their self-portrait in the middle of a black 12 x 9" piece of paper. On the black paper they use construction paper crayons to draw or write about hobbies and things they enjoy don't in their free time. 

3rd grade-Clay Frog Wall Pockets.

We started this lesson my talking about relief sculpture, relief sculpture is a 3-D object but the back is flat.

We rolled out a big slab of clay. Using this slab of clay we cut out one square, one big arch, and one little arch, I had templates of all of these for the students to trace. 

We then folded the big arch over our hand to bend it into a pocket and attached it to the middle of the square slab by scoring a slipping. This is the body of the frog. Next, we cut the small arch in half to create the legs and used a wooden stick tool to add the toes. We added the legs to each side of the body by scoring and slipping. Last students added details such as toynges, eyes, and flies.

The following clay, we painted the frogs using tempra paint. 

1st grade-positive and negative space pumpkins

We started this projects by The Biggest Pumpkin Ever. This book was perfect because one mouse takes care of the pumpkin during the day in the other mouse takes care of the pumpkin during the night. Pour project has one white side and one black side, kind of like day and night.

Each student received a 9 x 12" piece of white paper and a 9 x 6" piece of black paper. We drew half of a pumpkin on the black paper and made sure the middle part of the pumpkin was on the edge of the paper. We cut out the pumpkin, making sure we cut it all in one piece. We then glue the pieces of black paper together to create one whole pumpkin. Lastly we used construction paper Kranz to Abetos to her pumpkin such as a jack-o'-lantern face, a background, or mice. 

Kindergarten-2nd grade Skeletons

This is a simple filler project that the young students are very successful with, and we use silver Sharpies.... No pencils, so the students really need to think about what they are drawing. I do this project step by step with them starting with the torso, then add the head, arms, and legs. Students add their own details at the end.

I'm sure there is a good Skelton book to read along with this project. 

2nd Grade-Blow-paint turkeys

What do you do when you have a ton of straws? Create blow paint art.

We started this project by designing a background. Some students turkeys, we're outside, some inside, and some were even on the table tops. 

Next we used watered down acrylic paint and put drops of paint in our paper where our turkey was going and blew the paint with a straw. 

Lastly, we designed turkey bodies out of brown construction paper and glued them onto our turkey feathers. 

2nd Grade Mayflowers

I found a great tutorial on Art Projects for Kids website. We did a step by step drawing together to create the basic shape of the ship. Then students had the opportunity to color their project with markers and crayons. Some students transformed their Mayflowers into pirate ships.

http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/2011/11/mayflower-ship-tutorial.html

2nd Grade- Rural to Urban

As I often drive from Columbia to St. Louis on highway 70, I thought it would be a good idea to create an art project that shows rural, suburban, and urban landscapes. This project also shows foreground, middle ground, background, and perspective.

Day 1: after discussing rural, urban, and suburban we started creating our landscapes. We drew our picture with pencil then traced over it with Sharpies. When drawing, I reminded students that things in the background are smaller than things in the foreground. We also discussed what types of things you would see in different environments.

Day 2: we colored in the details with crayons and then painted the sky and roads with watercolor. 

1st Grade-Cornucopia Still Lifes

I thought a cornucopia would be the perfect example for a still life because still life's by famous artists usually include fruit and food.

We started class by discussing still lifes and coming up with examples of things that are in still lifes. Next, I had templates of a cornucopia shape for students to trace a cut out. Together, we drew the lines and curves on the Cornucopias. Then we glued tan paper to our white paper to create a table and then we glued the cornucopia in the middle of our paper. Lastly, students used construction paper to cut out different fruits and vegetables to put in their still life. Some students even had time to add a background.

1st Grade Clay Owls

After creating abstract owls through drawing, we created owls with clay. We starts by rolling a piece of clay into a ball. We then flattened it like a pancake. In the middle of the pancake, we used a side of a Popsicle stick to make feathers/arches on the belly. Next, we folded in the sides to creat wings and scrapped a fork over the wings to add ones. Then we folded down the top part to create the head. We made sure to pinch the top corners for the ears. The bottom of a Mr. Sketch marker worked perfect for the eyes. We used a wooden stick to add dots in the middle of the eyes. Lastly students added the beak and any other details they wanted using clay or wooden sticks.

We painted our owls the rolling class period with watercolors. 

Looking back, I wish the owls had holes in then to turn them into ornaments. 

1st grade Abstract Owls

This was a simple one day lesson for 1st grade. We read Good Night Owl and then created our own owl using crayons and watercolor paints. The main focus for this lesson is abstract art- you can tell what the object it but it is not realistic because the size, shape or color is altered. 

4th grade- Tints and Shade Trees

Day 1: We talked about tints and shades and students chose their color paint to use (red, pink, green, blue, purple) We started with white in the middle of our paper and added blue around it to make a tint. Then we painted the plain hue. Last we painted the edges with a shade.

Day 2: We discussed positive and negative space. Students added tree silhouettes to their painting by starting with pencil and then painting over using black paint.

1st Grade- 3-D Brids

This project is designed to show students the difference between 2-D and 3-D.

I have a stencil made for students to trace onto a folded piece of 12 x 18" white paper. After the students have traced it, they cut out their bird. They decorate all parts of the paper using media of thier choice. Here is how the bird looks 2-D (in lower left corner)

 One student made a nest :)

Kindergarten Turkeys

We started this lesson by reading the Night Before Thanksgiving (such a cute book).

Students then went to their seats where they received a 12 x 18" yellow paper and a 6 x 4.5" brown paper. They used the brown paper and traced their shoe (this is used for the turkey body). We glued the turkey body on the yellow paper with the heel side pointing up. Next students cut out a beak and a wattle using orange and red paper. Then they added turkey feet using an orange marker.

Students then used a pencil to make straight lines coming out of their turkey, like sun rays. We glued little tissue paper squares on the rays. Lastly, we glued on googly eyes.

Kindergarten Owls

Day 1: We started this lesson by reading Good Night Owl.
Students then went to their tables and began tearing paper (tan, white, brown, dark brown, etc.) Student then received a 9 x 12" blue paper. In the middle of their paper, they drew an arch with a line under. Students then used the tear paper and glued it inside the arch. I asked them to make the papers overlap so no blue is showing. Students can also add ears or wings coming off their owls.

Day 2: We add beak, eyes, feet, and backgrounds to our paper. The background is done with construction paper crayons. Some students even added accessories.

Kindergarten- Frankenstein

We started this lesson by reading 10 Step Guide to Living with Your Monster.

Students then created their own monster. Some even made girl Frankenstein. We used black, green, purple, and white construction paper, glue, scissors, and black markers.

Kindergarten- Symmetrical Pumpkins

This was a 2 day project

Day 1- We read the book The Pumpkin Circle (any pumpkin book will do). Next, each student received a 12 x 18" piece of yellow paper. We folded the paper in half hamburger style and opened our paper back up. On the left side of the paper, we drew a big fat C that touched the fold. We then drew a skinnier C that touched the fold as well as the ends of the first C, then we drew a skinnier C inside that, etc.
Students took orange paint and painted on the first C, folded the paper, and then rubbed. This made a print on the other half of the paper. Students repeated these steps for every C. At the end, if their paint lines didn't look dark enough, they were allowed to go over them with paint.

Day 2- We cut out our pumpkin and glues it to a 12 x 18" navy blue paper. Students then received a 18 x 3" piece of green paper to make the grass. They cut fringes in the green paper and glued it on. They also received a little piece of green paper for the stem. Next, Students received a 6 x 9" black paper for the face on the jack-o-lantern. They drew their face on the black paper, cut it out, and glued it on their pumpkin. Lastly, we put dots of glue in the sky and added glitter to create stars.

3rd Grade- Silhouettes

We discussed silhouettes and shadows and how they relate to positive and negative space. We watch a YouTube video from America's Got Talent about the group called the Silhouettes (the students loved the video).

We then created our own spooky silhouettes. Every student received a 9 x 12" piece of orange paper, a pencil, and a black marker. The easiest we to do this project is to have examples of spooky silhouettes for the students to look at and they can pretty much figure out the rest.

Adaptive Art- Mummies

To begin this lesson we read Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble- I think I need to freshen up on my Spanish if I decide to read it again :) And then we discussed mummies.

Next students went to the table to make our mummy project. I had gray construction paper with gingerbread type bodies already drawn on them. The kids cut the bodies out. Next, the students laid pieces of masking tape on their mummy. Some students ended up taping their mummies to the table, but this actually made it easier for the students to get the tape to stick. Next, if masking tape was hanging off the edges of the body, we folded them over on the back. Lastly, we glued our mummy to a piece of black paper and glued on googly eyes.

Adaptive Art- Spin Jar Paint

To begin this lesson, we read Beautiful Oops to show that students that art could be made out of anything.

Next, we began the art lesson. Each students received a 12 x 18" piece of black paper, a baby food jar, and a plate of a variety of paints. Students dipped the bottoms of the baby food jars in the paint and then placed the jar on thier paper. They could twist the jar to leave a print, but some students spun the jar like a top and left very neat trails of paint that were in curl like lines.

Here is my example; I wish I would've took a picture of a student example.

Adaptive Art- Fresh Fall Leaves

This is probably my favorite printmaking art project of all time because they turn out beautiful.

To begin this lesson, we read Fresh Fall Leaves.

Next, students went back to their table and each student got a 12 x 18" black paper, an assortment of leaves, a 6 x 6" manila paper, paintbrush, and paint (turquoise, magenta, gold, and silver).

The students covered the "vein-y" side of the leaf with paint. They then place the paint side down on the black paper and cover the leaf with the manila paper (this prevents paint from getting all over their hands). They then gently rub the manila paper to make a print. The lift off the manila paper and the leaf and are amazed at the beautiful leaf print. They repeat this process using different colors and different leaves. Here are the results.

Adaptive Art- Friendship Necklaces

For this lesson, we read the book, Making Friends is an Art. It is such a cute book.

After we read the book we made friendship necklaces using very large beads and yarn. I had to put packing tape on the end of the string so it created a shoelace type string so the kids could easily slide the beads on. I know this lesson seems very easy, but it is great for fine motor skills.

2nd Grade- Low Relief Sculptures

This was a 2 day project

Day 1-

We talked about low relief sculptures. I taught the students a rhym to help them remember what relief means. "2-D is flat, 3-D is fat, relief is in the middle because it sticks out a little." We then started making our project. We glued a 9 x 12" black paper to cardboard for added support. We then drew a large pumpkin in the middle of the paper using a pencil. After the pumpkin was drawn, students traced over the pumpkin with glue and glued down thick yarn on top. I taught the students how to measure and cut. After the yarn was glued, students went back with glue and added lines and different designs to sections of the pumpkin. I also told them they could add a background and they needed to include a horizon line. Here is how the project looked after day 1. 

Day 2-

We looked at artwork by Romero Britto and discussed how his artwork is abstract because he changes different patterns and colors of the object. Students then colored their pumpkins and backgrounds using chalk pastel. The glue repels the chalk allowing viewers to see the designs that were made with the glue. 

1st Grade Bats

To begin this lesson, we read Bat Jamboree. This book was pretty cute.
Next, each student received a 9 x 12" piece of brown paper to draw their bat. I told the students to draw their bat the size of the paper so it would be easy to cut out. We drew the bat right-side up; I felt like it was easier than upside-down. We stated with the head, the ears, the neck, and then the body. For the body, I told students to draw a heart with a flat bottom and then a diagonal line through it. Lastly, we drew the face and feet. Students drew the body with pencil first, and then traced over all their lines with Sharpie.
We then cut out the bat and glued it to a 9 x 12" black paper. Students then used construction paper crayons to decorate the background.