Miro Funky People, 1st Grade

I got this aweome lesson idea from Deep Space Sparkle on Joan Miro. I've always been intimidated to teach this-but I have no idea why. The kids have really taken to it. We have yet to color them-but I snagged a few pictures to show you of the process. Love them so far.

The beginning of the year...

Hey Everyone! I really hope you are all getting off to a really great star this year. I know I am. My throat on the other hand, is not getting off to a great start. The first day of art class is always the MOST talking...and after a summer break, my vocal chords don't treat me well.

The kids seem to be excited for the year and off to a great start. My classroom(s) look fantastic, and as soon as I remember to bring my camera to school, I'll post some pictures.

It always takes a few weeks for me to show you new lessons--because, we have to DO them and it takes time. I'm sure you understand!

....but while you're waiting, Check out Deep Space Sparkle for some great ways to start off the year!

Also, if you're interested in starting a career in Elementary Education, it's never too late to start work on a degree!

Thanks for reading, and I'm hoping to bring you some new, exciting art projects this school year.

Happy Creating!

HotChalk

I'm so excited for a new website that just opened for the teaching community. They have an art section that you can find here: HotChalkArt

Down near the bottom of the page there is an "Educators ToolKit", and then a "Blog" section. I'm stoked to be featured there as one of their art bloggers!

Go ahead and check it out...you can find other resources, too.

Happy beginning of the school year everyone...I hope that the summer got you refreshed and ready to begin another great year.

~Katie

Chinese Scroll Paintings, 4th-5th Grade

I didn't have the chance to do this project this past year, but I did it the year before. It was a huge success, but it took a lot of time.

I started by teaching the kids about Chinese Scroll Paintings, and the history of them. I created a worksheet where they answered questions and had to sketch ideas for their designs.

The students worked on 12x24 white paper, to get the "scroll-like" feel. They lightly sketched their design using a pencil, and then were taught all about watercolor techniques. They were encouraged to do a lot of washes at first, and then go back when it was dry to add more dry brush details. They had to add chinese symbols using black ink as a finishing touch.

I finished them off by mounting a piece of thin, black paper at the top and bottom of the 'scrolls', and then hanging with yarn. The "oooo's and ahh's" of the hallway were endless.

3-dimensional pop out shapes, 3rd Grade

This is a great project to use a ruler, teach a little about 3-D and form.

Just start with a plain white piece of paper. Draw a center dot. Have them draw 3-5 shapes around the center dot. (I usually recommend circles, square, trianges, rectangles, hearts or diamonds)

Then, show them how to use a ruler and connect the edges of the shape to the center dot. Any edge that you lay your ruler down and it cuts through the shape means DON'T draw the line!

Once you show them on the board, they will fully understand.

You can add stripes and designs to your shapes like mine. We use marker to color them in. Then, have the students cut out the entire design and post onto a background colored paper that compliments the art piece.

This is a great one-day project, and they love the result...and so do I!

Tropical Fish, 3rd Grade

For this project, I give the students a photocopy, that have about 10 different small detailed pictures of various fish. They are to pick one that they like, and try to draw the basic shape of the fish on a 12x18 piece of black paper. Then, they may add whatever designs they'd like to their fish. It may be realistic, or abstract.

They use prismacolor colored pencils (which work marvelous on black paper!), and must press hard with them! These took a long time, but they were just gorgeous!

(sorry for the glare...this one is laminated!)

School's out for summer!

I'm as excited as the kids when school let's out. It's a nice time to rejuvenate yourself and refresh....reflect...and prepare for what you'd like to do differently next year. I will definitely have fewer posts over the summer, but will keep them coming every now and again.

We will be back in full force in the fall!

Happy Summer!