Week of 9/18/2023 - 4ths and 5ths finish rotation 1

 This week 4th and 5th graders returned to finish work started in week 1.

4th graders finished writing words from their mind map using a variety of fonts, traced their self portrait and words using black Sharpie of different thicknesses - Chisel tip, fine point and ultra fine point depending upon how big or small their letters were. They added water color to a few areas of their work to complete their typography self portraits.

 

 

5th graders wrote words from their mind map in a variety of fonts using different Sharpies like the 4th graders, colored this side with crayons of different colors and added line patterns with a black sharpie on the other side. We used foam strips and glue dots to first assemble and then fix the letters to a cardboard base. Students explored how many strips were needed and figured out how to balance the letters so it would remain standing.

 

 5th graders used iPads to take at least 4-5 photos/ letter  of their positive quote and make movements gradual. They transferred files onto iMovie and added music to complete works.

Click on the below link to watch a few works!

 

Week of 9/11/2023 - 4th and 5th graders

 4th and 5th graders started their rotation this week!

4th graders started work on their Typography self portraits and looked at the work of illustrator Lorenzo Petrantoni. We had a Turn and Talk followed by a class discussion about things we observed - artwork rich in text, use of a variety of fonts and minimal color. Students created a mind map of words based on prompts I provided - adjectives to describe yourself, favorite people, favorite color, holiday, place and favorite hobbies.

We create a pencil self portrait - we took our time drawing the different parts. We ended the class by students looking at the words in their mind map and adding them using different fonts in the different areas in their self portrait. I encouraged students to fit their words in the spaces they chose by changing the size of the letters.

 5th graders started work on their Name Sculpture and looked at the work of sculptor Jaume Plensa - one of his works is located in downtown San Diego! We had a class discussion about what we noticed and wondered. I encouraged students to use the sentence starters I added in the classroom. We noticed that the artist used letters from different languages, with symbols and shapes in his sculptures. We created a mind map like the 4th graders did. Students used poster board to draw letters of their name using block letters and cut them out. They stored their letters in an envelope I created using construction paper - a different color for each of the 4 different classes.

 

Since 5th graders also receive an additional 45 minutes each week during their rotation, I decided this was a good time to start our stop motion animation videos. Students formed pairs, cut out letters of a positive quote using block letters and stored them in envelopes to use the following class.

Week of 9/4/2023 - Finishing Self-Portraits

 This week 2nd and 3rd graders returned to complete their self portraits. Students from each grade outlined their drawing with a chisel tip black Sharpie marker and wrote their adjectives (for 2nd grade) and sentences (for 3rd grade) using a fine tip Sharpie marker. They erased pencil lines and matched their skin color from the crayon set by looking at the mirror. I explained that some may find a perfect match while others will find a color that is closest. I also had students get feedback from their partner if they were having trouble finding a color. They also added a color for their hair, eyebrows, eyeball, lips (from the same skin color set, how awesome that they have lip colors too!), neck, ears and shirt. We added watercolors for the background to complete works. 

I had several ready made black frames that I cut the edges of so! I took photo copies of the self portraits with frames to display them in the local library.and will laminate the original and display them for Celebration of art.

 

Week of 8/28/23 - First rotation with 2nd and 3rd grade

2nd and 3rd grade students started their first rotation with me for this school year.Our classes this year are an hour instead of the hour 5 min. like last year. This is so that it is easier to schedule make ups which work better with a 60 minute class. Also, 3rd grade students receive an additional 45 min. of class this rotation and this will be changed later on to just those that have more than 24 students in their class.

Alright, the 2 grades started on the self-portraits as the first lesson for the school year. There is just something interesting, exciting, fun and challenging drawing yourself while looking in the mirror and adding text that is unique to you!

I read the book "Be You" to 2nd grade - I LOVE the adjective Peter H Reynolds has incorporated in the book. I also like that there are several similarities between the phrases such as "Be Curious", "Be Persistent" that I can remind students to use in the art class!! Once we read this book, I had students circle 5-6 adjective they would use to describe themselves. There were a total of 30 adjectives that I read aloud one at a time and discussed the meaning. I explained that they would incorporate their adjectives in the self-portrait when done drawing.

Once done students, started on their self-portrait on a 9"x12" water color paper. We all started with a large oval, drawing very light with pencil. We then drew a horizontal line across the oval, drew eyes, eyebrows, nose, ears and mouth. Students observed their hair and added that and their next as the final step. There were a few minutes left where students wrote their adjectives around their self-portrait.

 3rd graders looked at the work Synecdoche by artist Byron Kim. We engaged in a Turn and Talk where each student shared with their partner what they saw and wondered. We followed up with a class discussion and I asked students why did the artist create this artwork? What was the purpose? I received so many wonderful answers from students and I love that they are thinking of the artist's goal behind creating a work. Students filled out a survey that I let them know they will incorporate into their self portrait.

We created self-portrait drawings on watercolor paper - I had students create an egg shape for their head instead of an oval (differentiating for 3rd grade). We followed the same steps as I did for 2nd grade students. I realized I didn't take any picture of works in progress!

We will outline with black Sharpie, match skin color from the 24 crayon skin tone set, add text and use watercolors for the background next week.

I have an exciting idea this year for the frames and will update once done! 😃