Cardboard Sculptures

Using recycled boxes that had been donated to the art classroom, second and third graders learned about unity, variety, & form while creating their own unique sculptures!

Watercolor Experiments

It's amazing what you can do with watercolors, tape, a white crayon, a straw, and some salt!

Watercolor Birch Trees

So many reasons this project is a great one!  Second & third graders learned about things like landscape, form, shadow, contour lines... as well as cool watercolor techniques like using tape and salt.  I am very pleased with how well the students did on this project - they were all very successful!

Symmetry Butterflies

Kindergarteners and 1st graders have recently learned about what "symmetry" means, as well as what a background is and how to create both of these things in their art.  Because the weather has been so beautiful lately and butterflies are abundant in our outdoor garden, we decided to get inspired!  One class even got to go outside after making their butterflies, put their art in a "natural habitat" and pose for a photo with it.  Too cute.

Stained Glass Inspired.

As we study Europe this quarter, I thought it would be fun for 3rd graders to do a project inspired by stained glass.  Line, texture, color, unity, and abstract were all terms we studied in preparation for this project.  To make our own version of stained glass, each student was given a 6"x 8" piece of recycled cardboard.  Next, each student had to plan a design using yarn, and then glued that yarn design to their board.  Using tin foil to cover their cardboard, students had to gently feel for their yarn lines and rub around them to emboss their lines in the tin foil.  We used Sharpie markers to give each section color.  The students loved this project because it used a variety of materials, and each student's piece came out wonderfully!

Abstract Shapes.

Recently kindergarten and 1st grade have learned what the term "abstract" means, and how it is different from "realism." Next we talked about shape and color, and how those can help us express emotions in art.  I would start by saying something like, "I'm thinking of a angry color." And a student might respond, "Red!" or "Black!" Then I would follow up with a question like, "Would an angry shape have sharp edges, soft edges, or both?" (In this instance, most students responded with, "Sharp!")  Then we would add that shape to our paper.  By the end, we had a painting full of beautiful, colorful shapes!

Expression through art can be a difficult thing to grasp, but these students did a fabulous job!  Students were able to paint a variety of "emotions" in this abstract project.  After the paintings were dry, I had the students outline their shapes with pastel and mount them on black paper -- which lead to a great conversation on artistic craftsmanship.  I love the way this project turned out.