Autumn Observational Drawings

Our second and third graders were able to study a variety of fall vegetables, flowers and grasses. We added color using Watercolor pencils. The students loved watching the magic of the colors blending.

Sweet Dreams

The second graders stepped up to the sewing challenge! Using burlap as the primary surface, the students attached yarn using the “couch” method of sewing to represent the first letter of their first names. Next, the students added “pizzazz” by sewing on buttons, beads and sequences. The real fun began when each student stuffed his/her pillow. The pieces were sewn together using the “running stitch”.  These beautiful pieces showcase determination and self-expression. Like snowflakes, no 2 pillows are alike! Sweet Dreams...

Wiggle Lines

After reading "Lines That Wiggle", by Candace Whitman, each student drew a random line on his/her paper. I collected all the papers and passed them out to different students. Students were encouraged to turn their papers around and figure out WHAT kind of wiggle line they had. Next we added glitter to make the line "pizzazzy" and drew an environment around it. Using our imaginations was the focus of this project.

International Dot Day (week!)

September 15th is International Dot Day! After reading Peter Reynold’s “The Dot”, we decided to celebrate for a few weeks instead! Students spent a few classes working hard cutting and gluing dots and finding “dots” to reuse from the recycling bin (well-washed of course!). These colorful works of art remind us that even the simplest forms can bring the most beauty! Dot-o-licous!  

Self Portraits

Second Graders learned about James Castle, an artist who overcame his disabilities to create. Although Castle was to be unable to speak, read, or hear, he communicated to the world around him. Driven by his need to make art, Castle used whatever he found in his modest farm house in Idaho to make pictures. Much of his artwork is done on cardboard, old mail, string, and soot from his fireplace. Our students worked with cardboard, fabric, and found objects in the artwork to create a self-portrait. As you can see, Castle was a great inspiration. Students finished the statement: "Art is Important to Me Because..."

Ani-bowls

Second Graders recalled their experiences making clay pinch pots as first graders to begin their animal bowls. The pinch pot served as the body for an animal (real or imaginary). Students added features such as wings, tails, legs, etc. to make a truly unique clay pinch pot. After the pieces were bisque-fired, the students used underglaze to paint details. The class discussed the importance of looking at all sides of a piece of sculpture--that the piece may be viewed from multiple perspectives. After the final glaze firing, our class set up the animal bowls and had a "gallery tour" to look at everyone's new creations.

Natural Reactions

First and second graders were introduced to the work of Friedensreich Hundertwasser. We looked as the book, Harvesting Dreams to help us understand his work. Hundertwasser believed in the beautification of how he lived and that nature should inspire what humans create. After a brief color study of analogous and complimentary colors, students used paint, oil pastels and painted paper to create a harmonious design.

Hide and Seek

Second graders were introduced to Katsushika Hokusai’s (1760-1849) Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji. The classes discussed how Hokusai used art elements, such as line and shape, to direct the viewer’s eye to Mt. Fuji. Next, the students carved images of their everyday “leisure” life into Styrofoam plates, which they printed using traditional inking methods. Can you find Mt. Fuji?

And all that jazzzz.....

Second graders looked at Wassily Kandinsky’s compositional paintings. The classes discussed the layers that he used to create a mood. His paintings express rhythms and patterns to express energy and movement. As the students listed to Jazz, they created layers of paint, paper and glue that built into a completed work. The class discussed how the similarities between musical and visual compositions. Go ahead and listen!