Week of 11/06/23 - UTK, K and 1st grade - Color!

 UTK, K and 1st graders worked on color this week!

I used the book "Little Blue Little Yellow" by Leo Leonni and had a class discussion with UTK and kinders about what they thought the book was about just by looking at the front cover. It was interesting to hear their answers as they were being "investigators" and giving me answers based on clues they saw on the front cover. This story is great to introduce color theory to 4-6 year olds!

I gave all students transparent shapes in red, yellow and blue. We held 2 colors against the light at a time to see what color it was making. I introduced the word "primary colors" and secondary colors".  

UTK students traced 6 shapes using pencil using the ones from the above activity. They traced each with black Sharpie and added line patterns around the shapes. I gave each student a paper plate with tempera paint in primary colors. They used a different colors in each of the 3 shapes. I then added a different primary color to each primary color already in the plate that students mixed to create secondary colors that they painted into the remaining 3 shapes to complete their works.

Red+Yellow = Orange

Yellow+Blue = Green

Blue+Red = Purple

 Kinders engaged in the same activity as UTK  students but worked on a different lesson. They create vertical and horizontal lines on their paper and traced then with black Sharpie marker. They added lines patterns to some of them and then used primary colors to paint inside 4-5 boxes per color, mixed paint to create secondary colors and paint them inside 4-5 boxes per color.

1st graders used the book "Mouse Paint" by Ellen Stoll Walsh as their inspiration and created ladybugs. They used circular lids to create 3 ladybug bodies, added wings, branches and leaves with pencil first and then black Sharpie marker. Each student painted a primary color on each wing and the corresponding secondary color in the middle.

 I loved the reaction from students in each grade level as they mixed 2 primary colors to create the secondary color - it was magical and filled with joy!!

Week of 10/30/23 - 5th grade Donuts and 4th grade glue Batik bugs Part 2

5th grade students returned to paint over their donuts with acrylic paint. I demonstrated how to use a thick and thin brushes depending upon where they need to paint. I explained that acrylic paints are great for their bold colors, ability to dry quick and stay smooth without cracking. I bought surgical robes for students to wear so they wouldn't get the paint on their clothes and this worked out perfectly!! I highly encourage getting these  for 4th and 5th graders as they cover their body and arms unlike traditional aprons!

I had students use brown acrylic paint for their base first, attach 3 push pins to this side to from a "stand" so it wouldn't stick to their paper plate. This way they could paint the top while the base was still drying :)

Here are the different donuts - realistic enough to eat!!

 

4th graders came back to paint acrylic paint over their batik bugs. I explained to them the same information as the 5th graders. The acrylic paint I gave them was a bit watery and not straight from the bottle just so they wouldn't be too stiff after washing. I reminded students to use a variety of colors, paint over the glue, over their names on the handkerchief and under the tape. I took close to 160 painted pieces to the laundromat to wash and ironed each of them before giving them back to students!! Here are examples of finished works.

 

Week of 10/23/23 - 5th grade Donuts and 4th grade glue Batik bugs Part 1

 4th and 5th graders returned and we started on a 2 week project!

5th graders looked at the works of artist Jae Yong Kim and engaged in a Turn and Talk before moving on to a class discussion. I like how this gives them the confidence to share with one person before sharing with the entire class. Students observed how the artist uses a variety of colors, patterns and shapes in his work. I even showed them a video where the artist explains his process and that in spite of using many, many colors he is actually color blind!

 

 

 Students used 3 pieces of paper that they crushed, taped and shaped into a circular shape. We used white masking tape to cover their entire donut to prepare as a base for the next step. Once done, we then used plaster bandage strips dipped in water to cover their work and let it dry until the next class.

4th grade students started work on their glue Batik bugs. We looked at the below photo and students engaged in a Turn and talk followed by a class discussion. We talked about how the hot wax acts a a resist and that we will be using glue instead of this traditional medium.

Students sketched 3 different bugs from the options in the photo below. They picked one to use in their final work and drew it big on a 8.5"x11" white copy paper using pencil first and then a black Sharpie marker. They taped their drawing to a piece of construction paper, taped a wax paper over this and finally taped a white 11" square white handkerchief and traced their drawing with white glue to let it dry until the next class.

 

Week of 10/16/2023 - 2nd and 3rd grade Castle creating and Motif making - Part 2

 2nd and 3rd grade students returned to complete their castles and weaving respectively!

2nd graders used paper of different colors to draw shapes on, cut, glue and assemble on black card stock. They used metallic markers to add lines and details when done. I had a gallery walk with all classes so they could see what other students had created. It was great to see the influences from the examples they saw the previous week.

Here are examples of student works!

 3rd graders created their woven artwork using 2" paper strips on a 12"x18" paper with lines spaced 2" apart that I had pre-drawn. I had them fold their paper, cut the vertical lines (warp), add horizontal strips (weft), and glue the ends so the strips would be in place.. I demonstrated rows 1 and 2 after which I had them work independently. I reminded them that if their current row looked the same as their previous row, they had to fix it.

Once done students added motif #1 on one color and motif #2 on the other color to complete their works. There was so much variety in their works!

 

Week of 10/9/2023 - 2nd and 3rd grade Castle creating and Motif making

 2nd and 3rd graders returned for their 2nd rotation.

2nd grade students engaged in a turn and talk while looking at the photo below of St.Basil's cathedral in Moscow to discuss what they notice and wonder. We followed up with a class discussion.

 

 We also looked at castle and palace examples from different parts of the world and noticed similarities and differences.

 

 I gave students a worksheet they they used to practice drawing 10 different lines and shapes (8 geometric and 2 organic). We then combined shapes to create a sketch of castle #1 and students created castle #2 using their own shapes. I let students know they will use paper to "build" their castle on black card stock next class and add details using metallic markers.

 

3rd grade students also engaged in a turn and talk while looking at the photo below of a piece of fabric to discuss what they notice and wonder. We followed up with a class discussion. Students shared the lines they noticed, shapes, repetition and pattern.

 We also looked at sarees I brought from home and introduced the words motif, loom, weaving, warp and weft. We also looked at a video of a weaver from south India weaving a saree. Students looked at pieces of fabric samples to see how yarn is criss-crossed to create fabric. A great way fro them to know how fabric is made!!

 I gave students a worksheet they they used to practice drawing 10 different lines and shapes (8 geometric and 2 organic). We then combined shapes to create 4 motifs and they picked 2 to use on their paper weaving the following class.

 

Week of 10/2/2023 - Colorful City Centerpieces

 We had a request for creating centerpieces for the upcoming Council of the Great City School's Fall conference to be held in San Diego end of October. I volunteered to have this made by the youngest population at zamorano - UTK, kinders and 1st graders. Our theme was Colorful cities and we were inspired by several buildings from around the world - here are some examples we looked at.

Houses on the island of Burano, Italy

Houses on Haight Street, San Francisco

Happy Rizzi House, Germany

We used cardboard boxes of different sizes to create our works. I had a group of students from East Lake High School that volunteered to put together close to 300 cardboard boxes and tape the sides for students to use. Students covered the sides that had tape using construction paper that I had pre-cut. I showed them how to use the glue stick and take it for a walk 3 times along the sides before gluing the paper.  Once done, students had the option to cut and glue construction paper or use paint stix to add doors, windows and shapes to create their building using contrasting colors. We talked about this artwork being a sculpture and that it needed to look finished from ALL sides not just one side.

Once finished, I combined and glued 4-5 buildings to a cake board to complete each centerpiece. We made 46 centerpieces incorporating approximately 6 buildings in each.

 Here are photos of student work :)

Week of 9/25/2023 - UTK, K and 1st grade

 It was so great to finally see UTK, kinder and 1st grade students this week!!  

UTK created mixed media owls incorporating lines. We looked at the artwork of an owl and notices how they have BIG eyes, colorful wings and feet. It is so nice to get them speaking about art right from the get go - some students even shared how owls stay awake at night! practiced drawing 11 different lines on  watercolor paper - I was a bit worried about how well they would follow along but they rocked it!! We looked at examples around the classroom as we drew lines and this encouraged engagement!

I had traced the outline of an owl using a template with pencil for each student on the other side of the watercolor paper beforehand. Students traced the outline using a black Sharpie marker, added eyes, nose, wings and lines from the ones we had created, colored in using crayons and finally used black watercolors for the background!

I played the story "Little Owl's night" by Divya Srinivasan - a great story to go with our owl topic.

Kinders had a class discussion of a photo of fall leaves - we discussed what we noticed!

They also practiced drawing lines and used templates to trace leaves or an acorn. It was tricky for them to hold the item with one hand and trace with the other but they did it!! Students traced the outline using a black Sharpie marker and added lines from the ones we had created. They used washable markers in fall colors on tin foil. I sprayed water on it and students pressed their art on it. They peeled it to reveal beautiful colors that were transferred on their art!! So much excitement.

1st graders has a class discussion of a photo of pumpkins of different colors and sizes. They also practiced drawing lines. I had 3 pumpkins for us to look at - we drew them using overlapping! Students added black Sharpie lines and used paint stix to color each in using a variety of colors like the pumpkin example I had for them! Students also added details in the background using black Sharpie markers to complete works.