Matisse Madness

Using Henri Matisse as an example, students cut out a variety of shapes (some defined and others self-defined) to create a collage. The shapes were glued down to create a collage that allowed students to draw on their knowledge of colors, shapes, and fine-motor skills. Emphasis was placed on creating excitement and movement (aka PIZZAZZ); therefore, the end results have an abstract feeling. The students learned about the importance of the primary colors: Red, Yellow, and Blue.

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!

Seeing Music

Inspired by the artist Wassily Kandisnsky, first and second-graders drew lines while listening to Bach. We discussed how lines can be used to “draw” different types of sound and music. After drawing to the music, the students used tissue paper and watercolors to fill in the background, allowing their lines to “sing!”

I'm an artist!

After reading the book, "The Dot" by Peter Reynolds, the students discussed that we are all artists. If you can make a dot or a wiggly line, than you can make art! First, the students used craft sticks to create an easel on which they glued a mini picture. Next, the students drew and colored self portraits and environments. Focus was placed on fine motor skills (outlining, gluing, and coloring) and the building of their self-confidence so that they can create wonderful things.

Pickles on Parade!

Pickle People, Pickle Princesses, Pickle Pets, even Pickle Fish! Mixing yellow and blue paint allowed the students to experience first-hand how green is made. In the following two weeks, each student made a unique pickle character and used paper and markers to add details and “pizzazz!”