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.

Self Portraits

Students worked on their self portraits for three weeks. The first week was based on students drawing themselves. We discussed how we can “build a person” by using basic shapes and drawing the horizon so our person is not floating. The following week students drew their favorite place behind them after looking at Frida Kahlo for inspiration. Kindergartners finished off their work with markers, crayons, oil pastels and paint.

Pinch Pot Fish

Students investigated clay by using the basic pinch pot building method. After the pinch form was created, each student use the "slip and score" method to add fins, tails, eyes, and other aquatic details to build a fish(ish) sculpture. After these were bisque-fired, students used low-fire glaze to add color.

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?