5th Grade- Color Wheel Guitars

Fifth graders created color wheel guitars. This project took four class periods. 1- We drew our guitar shape and neck of the guitar on tag board. We did it in pencil first and then went over it in sharpie. 2 They painted the color wheel in the middle and complementary colors along the outside. 3- We then painted the value scale on the neck and monochromatic color scheme on the head. 4- we cut out our guitar pieces and glued them to a strip of foam board to make it sturdy. Lastly, we added thin strips of construction paper for the strings. 

5th Grade- Portraits

5th graders created portraits using a grid. We focused on drawing from observation, paying attention to details, and value. Students got to choose an image of their choice for the portrait.

5th Grade- Color Theory Guitar

5th graders created awesome guitars using their knowledge of color theory. The body of the guitar represents the color wheel and complementary colors, the neck shows the value scale in paint, and the head shows monochromatic colors using tints and shades.

5th Grade Moonlight Pumpkins

We had just finished up a long architecture unit (5 class periods) so unwanted to do a simple project that students could create and take home. Besides, I love fall projects. 

We looked at moonlight paintings by Georgia O'Keefe and the sky and brushwork in Starry Night. We then usd these artist ideas and value to create moonlight pumpkin scenes. 

5th Grade- Symmetry Self Portraits

This was a quick, one day lesson. Many students get nervous or embarrassed when doing self portraits so I thought we would incorporate photographs. I took a head shot of each student during class one day, while we were working on another project. I enlarged the photos and printed them out. Next I cut all the pictures in half down the middle... some were more down the middle than others. If you do this project, try to get the student looking directly straight.

We glued our half photos to the left side of a white piece of paper. I showed them to measure facial proportions with their fingers on the photo side, and transfer them to the drawing side. We did this by marking little dots. Next we stared a line drawing. We drew in eyes, nose, mouth, head shape, outline of hair, neck, and shirt. After most students seemed like they were finished with the line drawing, I introduced them to shading and how to use an ebony pencil. I liked this more than the celebrity portrait because students really had to think about symmetry and proportions because they did not get to see the other half of their face. Here are some of the finished products. 

5th Grade- Celebrity Portraits

Being at two schools allows me to do different versions of the same lesson. One school, I am doing celebrity portraits, while the other I am doing self portraits. We will see how they turn out so I will decide which one I stick to in the future.

For this one, each student selected an image of a celebrity. We cut the image in half- preferably down the middle if possible. And glued one half to our paper. Then, using the other half or thinking in terms of symmetry (if possible) we drew the other half of the face. Students had to be precise to make the proportions and the values the same as the printed version.

Overall, I believe this project was successful. However, it would be easier if the portraits were all looking straight on, the ones that were more difficult had the celebrities faces at an angle.

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.

5th Grade-Op Art Value

This project is mainly used to practice using different values by pressing harder or lighter. Value is used in this project to create an optical illusion.