3rd Grade- Greek Pottery

This was a 2 day project

Day 1-
We looked at examples of Greek pottery and noticed that most of them include figure portraits. We then practiced drawing figure portraits as a class (we drew these using ovals and circles so it would be easy and quick). After we did a couple together, students took turns posing for their classmates. They loved doing this and came up with many poses including "the thinker" and the splits.
Lastly, each student received a 18 x 12" piece of cream colored construction paper to create the shape of their pottery. They drew with pencil first, and then cut it out.

Day 2-
Students chose their favorite figure portrait from day one and drew it on their pot. They then added other geometric lines and designs using Sharpie. Lastly, they glued their pot to a piece of white paper and water colored the background.

3rd Grade- Olympic Skiers

This project was inspired by the Olympics. We created Olympic Skiers to kick off our figure portrait unit. Students drew figure portraits on card stock. Once finished coloring our skier, students cut out their skier and we glued popsicle sticks for the skis and toothpicks to the hands for ski poles.

2nd Grade- When we are 100 years old

We did this project for the 100th day of school. We created portraits of what we believe we will look like when we are 100 years old. The kids thought it was hilarious.

To make the skin wrinkly we crumbled up skin tone construction paper. After that, we drew our face. We looked at examples of what people look like when they are old and we noticed they have wrinkles on their forehead, corners of eyes and their mouths. We also noticed their eyebrows turn lighter. The shirts were made of wall paper samples. The finishing touches included the buttons and cotton balls for the hair.

2nd grade- Jim Dine Hearts

This is an easy one day lesson to do around Valentine's Day. First we look at artwork by Jim Dine. We discuss how Jim Dime's hearts have multiple colors and his background has multiple colors.

Students pass out supplies which includes white paper, oil pastels, and watercolor paint. We start by drawing a heart in the middle of the paper. I have students pick three colors of oil pastels, one medium, one light, and dark. We color the outside edge of the heart using the darkest color. We Color next to the dark color using them medium color. Lastly, we color the center using the light color. Students  then use their fingers to rub the colors together so they mix which creates a gradual value.

To complete the project students use watercolors to paint the background. They can do any design that they please.

1st grade- Family Portraits

This was a two day project for the first graders. The curriculum states that first-graders need to create a family portrait, sometimes this can be difficult for them because bodies are overlapping. I wanted to make this project as easy as possible so we created a family portrait of our families gathered around the table.

Day 1- We started this lesson by tracing a big circle in the middle of our paper. We then traced little circles for each family members head. We added facial features, plates on the dinner table, and pets if needed. Last, we traced over our pencil a sharpie.

Day 2- we colored our picture using crayons and markers.

Kindergarten castles

This was a easy one-day project for Kindergarteners to focus on architecture. Together we drew the castle. Students then went back and added their own designs to the castles such as flags, Kings, princesses, dragons, fish, etc.

This could be used as a filler project for snow days or even a sub plan.

Adaptive Art-Action Painting

We read Action Jackson and then created our own action paintings. Students created these by putting a piece of string inside a clothes pin. While holding the clothes pin, students dipped the string in paint and then dragged the string across their paper.

Adaptive Art-Snowflakes

This lesson could go with any book, we read Snow Days. After reading the book, students painted on a pre taped paper using blue, magenta, and purple. Make sure to use painters tape so it comes of easily.

5th Grade-Coil Pots

After learning about Native American Pottery, we created our own coil pots. Each student created their own coil pot design starting with a base shape and then added coils. Some students only used horizontal coils while others used spirals.

Before bisque firing

After glaze firing

Adaptive Art-Action Painting

After reading I Ain't Gonna Paint No More (which is such a cute book!) we created action paintings. Each student received a shoe box with a piece of paper inside. We put a couple of drops of glue on the paint, put a bouncy ball in the box (marbles, acorns would work too), closed the lid, then shook the box. Each student did a couple of paintings. 

Adaptive Art-String of Lights

We read the book, Light The Lights! A Story About Celebrating Hanukkah And Christmas and then created a string of lights using fingerprints. Students first drew a squiggly line and drew squares along the line. Above each square, they did a fingerprint.

Adaptive Art-Pattern Snakes

Adaptive art students learned about patterns and practiced making them using cards tick shapes. They then created patterned on snakes. 

5th grade- Native American Pottery Still Lifes

Students studied Native American culture in social studies so I wanted to tie it into the art room.

Day 1 and 2- after looking at examples of Native American pottery, students cut out neutral colored construction paper to create their pots. Decorated them with Natuve American symbols using sharpie.

Day 3- we created shadows and highlights on pots using black and white chalk. We glued a tan piece of paper to a gray piece to create the background. Then we glued our pot to the paper. Lastly, we 

drew a shadow on the table in our artwork. 

I used to make this a bigger project, but it took 5 class periods, so I decided to shorten it this year.

4th grade- Plaster Masks

Day 1- we watch a video of mask from differen cultures. Students then created sketches of what they want their masks to look like. I asked them to be as detailed as possible, for example what they want cut out, what they wanted added on with hot glue, how it they are going to paint their mask.

Day 2- we cover the plastic mold with plaster. We want to get a good layer of plaster on their mold, three layers is ideal. If they want their eyes left open or the mouth, they do not put plaster on these parts.

Day 3- Day three is all about additives. This is the day we can add ear, horns, trunks, snout, etc. We make these additives by forming them with tinfoil. And then we cover the tinfoil with plaster. The foil keeps the mask lightweight.

Day 4- we paint our masks with tempera paint.

Day 5- we continue painting and add other additives with hot glue.