1st Grade- Leaf Prints

1st graders studied printmaking by creating leaf prints. For this project we had different stations in the art room... The stations had similar leaves and one paint color. Students would stay at that table for 2 two minutes before rotating to the next station. They enjoyed getting up, moving around the room, and using the various paint colors and leaves.

2nd grade- Gyotaku fish prints

2nd graders created fish prints using the Japanese printmaking technique Gyotaku

5th Grade- Block Printing

5th graders learned about printmaking. We did block printing by carving linoleum. Students then printed there image on colored paper using black ink. We then arranged our prints on a large piece of black paper and glued then similar to the 2 x 2 images of Andy Warhols prints.

2nd Grade Cuckoo Clock

2nd grade created cuckoo clocks by using mixed media. On day one we drew the face of the clock and decorated our background paper by using stamping- a printmaking technique. On day two, we wove together paper to create the actual clock and added the top triangle shape and a fancy shape to the bottom. On  the third day, we created the door, the bird, and glued the clock face on. And there you have it!

3rd Grade Realistic Drawings

3rd grade studied artwork by Albrecht Durer and focused on how detailed and realistic his drawings are.  We then studied plants, leaves, and twigs and created our own realistic drawings. Lastly, we printed leafs on our artwork using gold paint.

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. 

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.

1st Grade- Monoprint Corn Wreaths

In 1st grade we made corn wreaths. This took two class periods.

The first day of class we discussed printmaking and mono-prints (a print that is only printed once because the next one will be slightly different). We used a  4 x 4 inch piece of bubble wrap to make our prints. Students painted the bubble side with orange, yellow, red, and gold paint. They then stamped it on their paper and repeated this until a piece of 12 x 18 inch white paper was full.

On day two, We used a corn template (I cut out pieces of cardboard for the template) and traced it 8 times on the back of our mono-print paper from the previous class period. We then traced the corn template on a piece of green construction paper as well. We cut out all of the corns. Students then cut the green corn pieces in half vertical wise- this became the leaves. Next, students received a paper plate and we folded it in half and cut the middle out to create a inner-tube shape. Lastly, students glued on the corn pieces. We talked about cardinal directions to help the glue them and then they glued a piece of green paper on each side of the corn.

It can be a wreath or a hat :)