Autumn: Sunset Silhouettes

We continued our study of color with this Autumn Silhouette project. First we reviewed warm and cool colors. Then we created sunset skies using only warm colored paint. While the skies dried, we cut black construction paper to create autumnal scenes. Having just visited a pumpkin patch, many learners chose to set their scenes there.

Elements of Art: Shapes

With this project our focus was on shapes. First we read the story Iggy Peck Architect and talked about architectural blueprints and what they do. Then we made our own versions, stamping various everyday objects such as corks, berry baskets, toilet paper tubes, pieces of cardboard, and plastic lids dipped in white paint. Afterwards we had a gallery walk where we talked about the shapes that showed up in our art: rectangles, circles, squares, triangles...even ovals and trapezoids.

Elements of Art: Lines

Lines by Philip Yenawine

Lines that Wiggle by Candace Whitman

For this project we focused on different types of lines. We started with two great readalouds about lines Lines that Wiggle and Lines.

We talked about all the different types of lines and brainstormed a list (straight, wavy, diagonal, criss-cross, dashed, dotted, parallel and zig-zag). 

Then we set to work creating line compositions. First we reviewed what we had learned about color mixing. Then, using only the three primary colors and some white paint, we made various abstract backgrounds in pastel colors (not only a nice review in color theory but also color value).

Once those were dry, we created various lines in black paint. I challenged the students to create balanced compositions with their black lines.

Elements of Art: Color

Today we mixed primary colors to make abstract watercolors. I started by putting painters tape in a grid pattern on watercolor paper. Then the learners used red, blue and yellow liquid watercolors (I love the vibrancy of these) to create different blocks of color.  I also provided salt to sprinkle on some of the squares to create texture. Make sure to wait for the paint to dry before removing the tape.

Artist Study: Andy Warhol

I had never taught Andy Warhol to kindergarteners and first graders. I was inspired by the great book Uncle Andy's, written by Warhol's nephew James. The kids really connected to the story, even more so once they learned it was a true story!

We then looked at Warhol's iconic soup can art. I took out some real cans of Cambell's tomato soup and after a quick lesson on perspective, they began. I was really pleased with the results. Both first graders who are mastering letter formation and kindergarteners who are just learning their letters were able to succeed in this fun project! (Plus they looked great all up on the bulletin board!)

Unit Study: Chicks

This spring our classroom was abuzz with our life cycles unit. Butterflies, ladybugs, silkworms and more were metamorphisizing in front of our very eyes! But everyone's favorite was the baby chicks. To celebrate their arrival we made our own little chicks. The body of the chicks was our feet traced and then cut out. We finished them off with cut paper and feathers. 

Literature-Based: Rainbow Fish Collage

This project was based on the book Rainbow Fish. First we made paper patterned like water with green and blue paint. Then we made the fish with tinfoil rubbed on top of fruit netting. Then added some seaweed, and finally glued it all together!

I Wish Poems

This was a multimedia project we did following Martin Luther King Day. First the kids came up with a couple wishes they had. These could be individual wishes ("I wish I had a new puppy") to wishes for the world ("I wish there was less violence"). I typed them up and took pictures of the children pretending to blow an imaginary dandelion. Then we put it all together with yarn, twigs and black construction paper.