Don't Forget to Vote

13 Lines and 50 stars... of course that could make up the American flag, but we decided to deconstruct the elements and make our on designs to celebrate the upcoming elections.  The students use red paint to make 8 (or so) different lines and then added 50 (or so) blue shapes. The blue shapes were a combination of cut paper and painted dots. The class discussed how simple shapes and colors can be put together to make very meaningful designs.  Rock the Vote!

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!  

Georgia's Garden

Nothing says spring like looking Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings... No matter how many times I teach this lesson, I never tire of the results. I have taught this to at least 400 different students over the years, and I have yet to see 2 of a kind. As simple as it is, it never ceases to bring smiles to everyone! 

Not a Square!

After reading Perfect Square by Michael Hall (Author, Illustrator), each Kindergartener had to choose a colored square of previously painted paper. The assignment was to cut and/or rip up the square to create a new image. As the images developed, I went around and asked each artist to talk about his/her art and finish the sentence "I picked [chosen color] because..." . Although the dictation was spoken and then typed by me, I feel strongly that it is an important exercise for the students to begin early to reflect and talk about their artwork. This is a first step in later having the ability to reflect and to write about the process of art-making.

 

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..."