4th grade Fantastic Figure

Ever since the 1st day of school all of the 4th graders asked me if they could draw my wooden mannequin that stands proudly on my desk.

I had pictures up on the screen of 3 different poses. We discussed how to build a figure through shapes, emphasizing not being too "controlled" or having it to look perfect. We reviewed sketching and observing the figure. 

The last pose they could come up with there own "scene". I thought after they had some experience with drawing the figure, the students named him "woody", they would feel more comfortable drawing the 4th pose. 

We studied complimentary colors. We used oil pastels to outline pencil lines, and then colored the color that compliments.

Here are some examples:

1st Grade Jim Dine Multi-Media Hearts

Now that Valentines Day is approaching, I have seen a lot of Jim Dine "heart" projects popping up on art education blogs. I'm not one for seasonal/holiday projects, but if they can study an artist that has made a living and following creating hearts, WHY can't WE?

So I have a project planned for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd based on Jim Dine. His artwork is so beautiful. He has created many ( and i mean a lot) of artwork with the subjects of "hearts" and "tools". He uses all different types of materials, 2-D and 3-D.

For this 1st grade project, I wanted to use a couple different materials. Gratefully our Library aid had all these foam pads donated to her to be used for crafts,etc. She came to me and asked if we could use them. They look like mouse pads and I started brainstorming some ideas. I asked if she had enough for us (like 180 per grade) she said she had boxes and boxes, BOY was she right!

• We started off with 8.5" x 11" white construction paper. We then drew a large heart onto the back of the foam pad ( these pads are about 7" x  6"). I showed the students how to draw a heart. They were so excited when they learned the, "draw a lower case m and then attach a v at the bottom of the m, to create the heart" and we also learned out to draw one side of the heart and attach it to another side (like  a comma). 
• They we glued the foam pad to the middle of the white construction paper. 
• We then used water-tempura cakes to apply a black line around the heart to have the heart "pop" off the page, like a lot of Dine's work. 
• Then I showed how to apply the paint, and the students had free range to apply any colors (except black) to the foreground/heart and the background. 
• Last but not least the students added splashes of black to the background. The reason I waited to let them apply the black paint because a lot of the time the black starts mixing with the other colors and it doesn't look defined. I usually don't like to "restrict" students creativity, however, that little extra time with out black paint allows the other colors to dry and set what they already created.
• We allowed them to dry on the drying racks and cleaned up the art room.

They really enjoyed doing a one-day project and using the foam pads. They kept saying it feels so soft like a pillow or there favorite stuffed animal. 

NOw the first graders are Multi-media artists!

Last picture is to show how the foam comes off of the page or "pops" off the page. (teacher example)

New Layout

Because of our crazy winter weather, here in PA, we have had about 4-5 snow days. These past two days consisting of really nasty ice storms, causing power outages, fallen trees/branches, and terrible driving conditions. Thankfully my power is not out so I have been able to update more and change the Layout a little.

Hope you are staying safe during these icy/snowy days. Also, hope you are enjoying the lessons, if you have any questions or comments please let me know.

2nd Grade "Bad Case of the Stripes" Self-Portraits

This book, "The Bad Case of Stripes" by David Shannon is absolutely wonderful! When I searched online to see if there were any videos, I stumbled along a website called www.storylineonline.net.
This website has a variety of stories that are read by celebrity people.
 At our school teachers use this website all the time to help introduce books, use technology, and show creativity in there lessons. Many 2nd grade teachers already introduced this story to their class, so it turned out to be a great cross curriculum lesson.

I got the idea to use this story from some 2nd grade teachers in my building  and also saw some good self portrait ideas from this site self-portraits, and I saw another great lesson that mrs.jahnig did with her 2nd grade classes that was based on "A Bad Case of Stripes."
For this project we used a 11" x 17" white construction paper. We drew our self portraits by adding shapes upon shapes. They drew everything with pencil and outlined with medium Sharpie Marker. They used rulers to measure the stripes, approx. 1" apart from each line. This was a really great way to teach them how to use the ruler, make straight lines, and intergrate math in a simple and fun way. We used crayons to apply color to the hair, eyes, and t-shirt. Some added crayon color to their background. Once finished with crayons, students added color to their stripes and background with tempura cakes (like water color but darker/richer colors).
They turned out great!

Wayne Thiebaud Inspired 3-Dimensional Lollipops

I wanted the 3rd graders to learn about Wayne Thiebaud and learn how to turn a circle into a sphere with chalk pastel.
Usually to educate students about spheres and 3-d shapes, teachers do a space lesson, which they turn out great but I wanted to come up with a unique way of combining two "subjects" or "ideas".

We started out with black or dark blue paper, drew 3 circles (big or little) and used rulers to create the lollipops sticks. I printed out some grey scales and how to create a sphere. I did a demo. with chalk pastel and oil pastel. I left it up to the students to pick their mediums and colors. We talked about light sources and where the "white" and "black" would be placed.

Then added color to the background (walls and tabletop) with oil pastels. We drew circles or ovals to create shadow on the table top and filled in with black OIL pastel.

When I first showed my teacher example all the kids thought they couldn't do it. When they finished their projects, one student in particular said," Mrs. Schwien you really taught us how to do this, that now MINE looks better then yours!" I know it sounds boastful, however I took it as a compliment that he was so confident in his achievement and progression in creating art.

First picture is my Teacher Example. (I allowed the students to make ice cream cones if they wanted to, they turned out great)

1st Grade Picasso faces

Picasso is our Mascot in our Art classroom (both classrooms actually) He guards the Points that the students earn in class for making good behavior choices and participating.
They really wanted to learn more about Picasso, so I introduced him by showing them a brief slideshow on Picasso's work and life.

We talked about the difference of Profile and Portrait. I briely went over the definitions for abstract and cubism.  I did this project in October and now the students will say "oh that project is abstract" or "it doesn't look realistic, it MUST be abstract" what GREAT minds I am teaching. I learn so much from them every day.
ANYWAYS, we then created 3 WACKY FACES. One big and the other medium sizes. We did one together, allowing free choice along the way. When we were done with the first one, the students completed the last 2, outline with medium size markers, then colored in with GLITTER crayons. They LOVE glitter/metallic crayons. In my personal opinion the metallic crayons are way more consistent and you really can see a sheen. The glitter crayons get clogged and are really light when put on paper. But all in all they looked great.

With the crayons, I emphasized not touching same/like colors next to eachother.

4th Grade Woven Yarn Baskets

I know this is a common project with many art educators but I mixed it up by talking about contemporary versus traditional materials.My students learned how to do the traditional plain weave, warp/weft, shuttles, the Hopi Tribe, etc. We talked about different materials and I showed them photos of contemporary baskets made of jump ropes, phone wire (a picture of my own work), trash bags, etc.
I majored in textiles for my underground and I really love to include them in my lessons.

We did the traditional plain weave focusing on a color pattern with the yarn. When they were an 1" away from the top we started to include more contemporary/different items. I think they turned out great. We finished them right before the holidays and they said their families loved their baskets! Some of the students gave them as presents. I have one class working on them right now, to showcase them for the future spring art show!

The first picture/basket is made with pipe cleaners that spells the students brothers name, because he was making it for him for Christmas. What CREATIVITY!