Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Lois Ehlert Birds

Fourth graders created these beautiful painted paper collages in Art class. Students looked at the illustrations by Lois Ehlert, in the book Snowballs for inspiration.

The Scream

In Art class, third graders learned about the artist Edvar Munch (pronounced Monk) and his famous painting The Scream. Students learned why he named his artwork The Scream and who the person screaming is. Third graders created themselves in The Scream painting using watercolors and oil pastels!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Sunflower Paintings

For their first painting of the year in Art class, first graders studied sunflowers, plant parts and lines! Can you find the zigzag, curved, dotted and vertical lines in their paintings?

Monday, December 2, 2013

Cave Paintings

Second graders learned about cave art in this fun lesson. We looked at examples of cave art from the Lascaux Cave in France and even took a virtual tour of the cave. As we looked, we discussed some of the important elements of cave art. Cave art almost ALWAYS included animals, it showed the animals from the side view, and used natural colors (brown, black, tan, etc.). Students crumpled up and tore brown paper to give it a rock like appearance. Second grades then developed sketches a cave animals, painted them and then added oil pastel details. The last step was having their hand sprayed with paint, just like the cave painters did.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

News!

Mona Lisa told the news to my students last week. We are expecting a baby girl this March!

Thank You Veterans!

In Art class, third graders have been learning about Veterans Day and how we honor those that serve in the armed forces on this day. The students created a collage artwork that incorporates the main symbol of America or Veterans Day, the American Flag. Thank you Veterans for all that you do!

Eric Carle's The Very Busy Spider

In Art class, second 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! Students reviewed how to mix secondary colors from the primary colors while painting. Second graders cut and glued their papers to create their own very busy spiders!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Analogous Abstract Sculptures

Fourth and fifth graders created these awesome abstract sculptures in Art class! Students learned the definition of a sculpture (a three-dimensional artwork) and learned the difference between shape and form. Students used a block of wood, a wire from a hanger and a nylon to create the abstract form. Next, students had to choose analogous colors (colors that are next to each other on the color wheel) while painting. A big emphasis on the project was blending the colors into one another. Way to go young artists! They look amazing!

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Chalk Spiders in a Web

After reading books about spiders, young artists in 3rd grade created these SPIDER WEBS using chalk, glue and tin foil! Students had to use analogous colors; colors next to each other on the color wheel, while creating their art!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

3-D Haunted houses

Each year the fourth graders study electricity in their classrooms. This year the classroom teachers asked if I would make 3-D haunted houses in art class. I said sure even though I had never done these before and usually don’t do “halloweenish” type art projects. The kids LOVED it! And so did I! I think I will do this lesson every year because it was so much fun. The kids got SO into adding details to their houses. I tied in architecture and Frank Lloyd Wright into the lesson. The students had to show 3 different architectural styles that we studied (like post and lintel, round arch, cantilever…) They used tag board for the house and foam core for the base. The rest was created with junk! For the final test in their electricity unit, the kids had to light up their houses!