Cityscape & Water Reflections (from Spring 2013)

Kachinas 2013.

Path Through Trees.

Fifth graders recently learned about value, tints, and shades, and how those affect things we look at as they get further away from our view.  We learned that, not only do objects get smaller when they are far away, but they also get lighter!

Eric Carle Inspired Animals.

This project was all about PROCESS.  One of my goals was to get my 4th graders to connect with art from their own lives - so I used a very familiar children's author & illustrator, Eric Carle.  Each student chose an animal and together we made a quick sketch of that animal.  Next, they counted each body part of their animal (ie. trunk, head, big ears, body, legs, etc.) and painted a section on a piece of paper for that body part.  After that, they cut apart their original sketch into parts, traced them on the dry painted paper, cut them out, and pieced together their animal again!  Phew!  It was a process that took a lot of time, but the results were great!  Students were able to see the artistic process behind one of their most favorite author/illustrators.  This project also gave students a chance to further explore creating texture, the concept previously learned in class.

Trout

 Butterfly

Wolf

Turtle

Sheep

Dolphin

Bear

Mouse

Bass

Tiger

Lion

Fruit Still Life.

First & Second graders were able to use their previous knowledge of values, hue, tint, and shade to create a fruit still life drawing with oil pastel.  Students were able to make the connection that tints could be used to show light reflecting off of a subject, and shades could be used to create shadow.  I was so happy with how these turned out!  Creating art that looks more three dimensional is difficult - but we're learning the phrase, "You have to practice to get better!" in art, and the kids are really taking ownership of their practicing.  Sometimes during "free time" I'll see kids drawing fruit using light and shadow and they'll excitedly approach me saying, "Look!  I'm getting better!"  Love it.

Nature Still Life Paintings.

Our school is so blessed to have its own outdoor space for learning and creating.  In 5th grade, each student picked a subject in the outdoor classroom that they painted in their own unique "style" for a still life.  During this lesson we looked at the artwork of famous artists like Paul Cezanne, Georgia O'Keeffe, Vincent van Gogh, and Claude Monet - each with their own unique style.  We also talked about concepts like color, shape, form, light & shadow.  The students worked for several art times on their paintings and I was very proud of their ability to analyze their subject and paint their own perception of it!