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Winter Cardinals -4th grade and Superhero Masks – 2nd grade!

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This will be my last winter art post for the season (Woo-Hoo! that’s a good thing!) Spring is just around the corner -thank god!! I’ll be posting a collection of “Springtime Art lessons” in a few days—so be on the look out for that! But in the meantime, I wanted to share some cardinals that recently wrapped up last week, and some fun superhero masks by my 2nd graders! —-I also have 4 NEW PDF hand drawn mask templates you can download and print out now in my TpT store too (more on that below).

One out of my (5) 4th grade classes finished painting their cardinals…the rest will finish up this coming week, and I’ll add more here after (as well as within the “4th grade art lessons” page).




This lesson took (4) 40 minute art classes to complete.

DAY 1: I demonstrated under the doc camera how to draw the cardinals on a sheet of 9×12” 80# white drawing paper. Students drew along with me as I drew starting with the cardinal, then the branch and snow, and then the tail feathers.
Once all of that was drawn, students added texture on the branch and then went over all their lines in sharpie.

DAY 2:

On day 2, I showed students how to color in their bird, branch and snow. We used colored pencils to color in, and I explained to press down hard while coloring in their bird red to make the color pop. For coloring in around the eye, I explained to press a little lighter, so the black wouldn’t completely blend in with the detail of the eye. They colored the beak orange, feet black, and branch with colored pencils and then added just a little bit of blue along the bottom of their snow along the branch. I explained to press hard with a blue colored pencil right where the snow meets the branch, and then gradually get lighter and lighter as you move up the snow, only to about 1/2 way. For some reason it’s not really showing in the photo in the artwork above.

DAY 3: On day 3, I demonstrated how to add shading using a black colored pencil within the bird, making sure to press harder along the edges and gradually pressing lighter and lighter, as it moves away from the edges. I also explained it’s important to overlap your lines as you do that step.

Then we outlined the bird, branch and snow with a black crayon (while pressing down hard). Doing this step helps create a barrier so that the watercolor paint won’t seep into those areas. Having pointier crayon tips (or sharpening them beforehand with a crayon sharpener) is helpful for this step as well.
Then we added some snow falling using a white crayon —making sure to press really hard as well. I reminded students even though you can’t see white on white paper – sometimes the way you hold your paper (if you tilt it just right) you can see the shiny parts from where you drew snow from the wax of the crayon on your paper. We talked about how this eventually would create a crayon-wax resist technique, (watercolors and wax don’t mix, and the paint won’t cover up the areas where you draw with crayon) when we paint the sky blue in the following art class.

DAY 4: Students used turquoise liquid watercolors (that was watered down a little) to paint their sky, revealing their snowflakes on the final day of the lesson. I like using Sax brand liquid watercolors for this lesson.

LEARNING GOALS: 

Students can create, identify and define a crayon wax-resist painting technique

Students can create value changes in their bird with shading 

Students can define the element of art “value”

Students can create, identify and define texture within their artwork 


I’ll add more student artwork here later this week once they’ve finished!

2nd Grade Superhero Masks

Link to my TpT store to download a PDF of 4 different hand drawn masks is below – $3.99 for all 4 masks

This lesson is a fun project for ALL ages! 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/art-with-mrs-filmore

This was a super fun one day lesson!! (40 minute class) *Some classes needed a day 2 to complete 

I drew four different mask shapes, each on a sheet of 9 x 12” super heavy weight tag board paper and then ran each one through the copy machine. I recommend printing these out on “super heavyweight tagboard” (or thick cardstock)

Students could design their mask anyway they wanted with pencil first and then colored in with markers, crayons or colored pencils. Once finished they cut out their mask and then folded a little bit where the eyes were and then cut a tiny slice so they could get their scissors inside and then cut out the eyes. 

Some students even decided to draw above the mask line to add other details as seen in the photos above like rabbit ears and additional details above their mask design. They were extremely creative!

To fit their mask to their face I had straps that I cut from the same super heavy weight tag board paper into 9“ x 2“ strips. Each mask got 2 strips. I helped them staple each strip end to each side of their mask first, then put the mask against their face to measure out where the straps should meet/ overlap and then stapled at that area, so it would fit snug on their head, but be able to come off easily at the same time.

Students LOOVED this fun and engaging lesson and wore them immediately after they were finished being sized. I had students asking me in the hall “Are we making masks tomorrow in Art?!!” They heard from their friends that’s what they did in art and were SO excited to make one too!

This lesson coincided with reading the book “Almost Super” within their classroom, at one of my schools. 

After students finish their masks, you could have students draw their own superheroes too, or have them write about what their superhero name would be, what powers they have, what greater good are they fighting for, where does their superhero live etc. to connect to literacy!

LEARNING GOALS 

  • Students continue to enhance their cutting skills 
  • Students can use a variety of line, shape, color, texture, and pattern to design their own unique mask 
  • Students understand that art can connect/ relate with other subjects 

Link to my TpT store to download a PDF of 4 different hand drawn masks is below – $3.99 for all 4 masks

This lesson can be a fun project for ALL ages!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/art-with-mrs-filmore

——-Next, I’ll be adding a new blog post on a collection of various springtime art lessons, as well as 5th graders “Blackout Poetry” with their blackout poetry artwork!

——I also just added more photos to my “about me /Q+A” page (under my drop down menu on the main page at the top) and a funny little story (that I just remembered) involving making music video’s with a cam corder, when I was a teenager from back in the 90’s

——Would you be interested in a YouTube video that shows how to create my “April Showers brings May Flowers” 2nd grade art lesson below? If so, please let me know by replying “YES” in the form below!
I can post my hand drawn umbrella PDF template on TpT for FREE to use for the lesson too!

Also— please let me know any other art video tutorial you’d like me to make! You can fill out the form below. The forms will not get published by the way— it’s for my eyes only. I’d love to hear from you -Thank you!

****UPDATE: Unfortunately I had to delete the forms because I’ve been getting hit with 100’s of responses a day from somebody (cyber bully??) who is only submitting random responses (basically spamming / blog spam/ web bot)

And last but not least—if you’d like to check out my art lessons on Instagram—follow along on my Instagram account at @mammalovespeaches

Thank you so much for visiting my website today!❤️ Hope you’re having a great weekend (or weekday, depending on when you’re reading this 🙂

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“Owls at Night” – grades 2 + 3

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Loving these SWEET owls by my 2nd and 3rd grade students! In the past, I’ve only taught this to my 2nd graders, but I never did the lesson last year- so I had 3rd graders do them as well.

This was a 3 day lesson (40 minute art classes each)

DAY 1

I showed them step-by-step under the document camera how to draw the owl on a sheet of 9×12” 80# drawing paper with pencil.

DAY 2

Then they colored them in (just the moon, owl, and branch with leaves) with crayons, making sure to press down hard as they colored. They could color in the owl with whatever colors they wanted .
Then they added stars to the sky with a yellow crayon pressing hard, and outlined everything except the stars with a black crayon pressing hard as they outlined.

DAY 3

Then they painted the sky black with watercolors going right over their stars, creating a crayon wax resist.

I love how they all come out so different even though they are all drawing the same thing!

Would you be interested in a YouTube tutorial on this lesson?

Thank you for visiting my website! I will be posting another one today

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POLAR BEARS – 3RD GRADE

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How adorable are these bears?! We used liquid watercolors and salt for the background, then a guided drawing of the polar bear and black oil pastel for shading! Read below students artwork to see how we created them with step-by-step pics!

DAY 1

On the first day of this 2 day lesson, students painted their background sky for the polar bear.

I put out bowls of turquoise and magenta liquid watercolors and bowls of kosher salt. 3rd graders watched me do a quick painting demo under the doc camera first, reviewing the wet-on-wet painting technique. First applying only water to the top half of their 12×18″ 80# white drawing paper, then adding whichever color paint they want first to the wet areas on their paper. Kids always love seeing how the paint spreads and feathers outward when doing wet-on-wet!

I encouraged students to paint randomly, and let the two colors merge here and there. If they created somewhat of a stripey effect with the two colors, I showed them how to brush on only water between the two stripes to help blend them together and blur the lines a bit more.

They loved watching the variety of lavender and purple hues develop when the turquoise and magenta paint mixed!

Once half the paper was painted and while still wet, students sprinkled salt over that area creating a salt resist technique! 3rd graders remembered this technique when they created the 3D Water lily last year in 2nd grade. Once dry, the salt crystals leave behind white areas that resemble snowflakes in the sky. For our 3D waterlilies project, the salted areas resembled light reflecting off the water background for the waterlily.

Once half of the paper was painted and salted, they wet the other half with just water and repeated painting and adding salt to the remaining half. Working on half the paper first, ensures the area is still wet enough for the salt. If the paper is too dry (the paint has dried up and the paper isn’t wet enough) the salt has nothing to absorb to create the snowflake effect.

Paintings were set aside to dry until the following art class.

Once dry, I brushed off all of the salt on students paintings and flattened them under a pile of heavy books. Here’s a few students painting’s that have been brushed off and flattened and are ready for the polar bear!

They ALL turned out beautiful, but I LOVE the way the salt created those interesting marks at the top in this one!!

DAY 2

3rd graders followed along with me while I did a guided drawing of the polar bear on 12×18″ 80# paper. Here are step-by-step photos that show how I drew the bear with my students.

STEP 1: DRAW 2 RAINBOW LINES FOR THE BEARS FEET
STEP 2: DRAW 3 LINES WITHIN EACH PAW

STEP 3: DRAW ANOTHER SMALLER RAINBOW LINE IN BETWEEN THE TWO PAWS
STEP 4: DRAW A LARGE RAINBOW LINE FROM PAW TO PAW
STEP 5: DRAW THE BEARS HEAD
STEP 6: DRAW TWO CURVED LINES FOR THE EARS
STEP 7: DRAW TWO SMALLER CURVING LINES INSIDE THE EARS
STEP 8: DRAW A LARGE EGG SHAPE INSIDE THE HEAD
STEP 9: DRAW 2 SMALL CIRCLES FOR THE EYES
STEP 10: DRAW AN UPSIDE DOWN TRIANGULAR SHAPE FOR THE NOSE
STEP 11: DRAW THE LETTER “W” FOR THE MOUTH. DRAW A TINY CIRCLE IN THE RIGHT PART OF THE EYES. DRAW A LONG OVAL SHAPE ALONG THE TOP OF THE NOSE.

Once drawn in pencil, I showed students how to add the black oil pastel. First we traced over all our lines with the black oil pastel. Then colored in the eyes and nose except for the small shiny reflective parts, where it remained white, like below.

STEP 12: TRACE OVER ALL LINES THICKLY WITH BLACK OIL PASTEL. COLOR IN THE NOSE, EXCEPT FOR THE OVAL. COLOR IN THE EYES, EXCEPT FOR THE TINY CIRCLES.

Then using one finger, smudge the oil pastel, following the direction of the lines drawn for each area, creating shadows within the polar bears fur. The only areas you don’t smudge are in the polar bears eyes, nose and mouth.

Where the curve of the belly is, we drew a few curving lines with oil pastel and smudged a U shape to give him MORE chubby cuteness!

Then draw a straight horizontal line where the curve of the belly is on either side of the polar bear with pencil. This creates the snow the polar bear is standing on.

Once finished smudging, students cut out their bears. Cut following the horizontal line, then cut following the curve of the body of the bear and to the other horizontal line. Now the bear and the snowy ground are cut out as one piece.

Then glue the back with a glue stick, (especially around the edges), then glue onto the painting, lining up both papers edges!

Voila! I LOVE these polar bears so much!

This wonderful lesson idea is from @2art.chambers (with a few changes). Thanks LauraLee!

More 3rd grade polar bears will be added after winter break! Also STAY TUNED for new 2nd grade artwork– Coming very soon!!

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Matisse inspired ORGANIC SHAPES COLLAGE – 3rd Grade

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I think this is a great end of the year art lesson because it only takes 3 classes (maybe even 2 if your art classes are longer than 40 minutes) and it’s fun!  But more importantly, it’s a nice way to review and assess students understanding on the basic elements of art; LINE (curving, wavy), SHAPE (organic vs. geometric), COLOR (primary, secondary, warm and cool as well as color mixing), as well as a review on overlapping, abstract art and composition.

Students in 3rd grade learned about the life and artwork of French artist Henri Matisse.

I showed them a Powerpoint slideshow of his artwork throughout the years, from his paintings to his collage work.

We talked about how Henri Matisse used a lot of bright, bold colors, simplified shapes, and was one of a few painters in his day who started a new style of painting called “fauvism” -(stemming from the word fauve, which means “wild beast”) and how later in his career, he would paint his own personal painted papers with many different colors that were then used for his cut paper collages.

They also learned how Matisse would cut right into the painted papers without drawing first, and called this technique “painting with scissors”.

We also reviewed the word collage and students noticed how many of his cut paper shapes in his collages, resembled leaves and plant life, and learned how they were organic shapes.  We talked about how organic shapes have curving, free flowing lines and can be found in nature, like in clouds, puddles, leaves, and flowers.  As opposed to geometric shapes (shapes that have straight lines and are usually symmetrical).

DAY 1 – Creating the painted papers

For this Matisse inspired lesson, students created their own painted papers first, just like Matisse did!

They began by folding a 12×18″ piece of paper 3 times, in order to create (8) rectangles, folding and pressing firmly each time to make sure they have visible creases to separate the 8 sections within their papers.

After unfolding the paper, students painted each rectangular section using liquid watercolors. Students were instructed to paint the top row with specific colors (Left to Right) using only primary colors, using only secondary colors, using only warm colors, and using only cool colors. In the top row, students could use those specific colors, painting any way they wanted –BUT– without mixing colors on their papers. The bottom row students could paint each section with any colors they wanted and could mix colors. I kept this up on the board for students as they painted (see pic below).

Some students were having a hard time recalling what those specific sets of colors were, so I gave them clues to jog their memory a little. For instance, for primary colors, I said – they consist of 3 colors, and when mixed they make the secondary colors. I also said, “If you start with the first color in the rainbow, red- (that’s your 1st primary color) then skip the next color, then you’ve got what? (Yellow- that’s the 2nd primary color) then skip the next color to ? blue (that’s your 3rd primary color). With warm colors, I asked them to think about what the first 3 colors in the rainbow were, plus pink, and with cool colors I suggested think about the last 3 colors of the rainbow.

Students tested colors out on a paper towel before applying paint to their paper. Sometimes the colors of liquid watercolors can be hard to see, since they are so saturated and appear very similar to one another in color within the ice cube trays.

DAY 2 – Cutting organic shapes

On day 2, we reviewed organic shapes. Students first cut out each painted rectangle from their painted paper. Then they cut out various free-flowing, organic shapes from each section, -1 large shape per section- cutting straight into their papers, without drawing first, just like Matisse did!  

In addition, students chose 5-6 pieces of colored construction paper to cut organic shapes from as well, to add to their collection of cut shapes for their collage. So all in all, students had up to 13-14 shapes total.

These shapes were then all paper clipped together and students wrote their name on the back of the last one and were saved in their class folder for the next class.

DAY 3 – Creating the collage

We reviewed abstract art (artwork that focuses on mainly lines, shapes and colors) and what composition meant in artwork.  Students learned that composition in art, means where things (or images) are laid out on the paper.

 Students arranged at least 8 of their cut organic shapes on a sheet of 12×18″ white 80# paper, moving them around on the paper, considering the composition first before gluing, and overlapping at least 5 shapes, before gluing into place.

I really love teaching this lesson. Not only is Matisse one of my favorite artists, but the vivid colors and arrangements of shapes turn out so beautifully and each collage ends up looking so unique!

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check back soon for my next posts on 1st Grade “Watermelon Weavings” , 2nd Grade “Springtime Bunny, Bear, or Fox!”, 4th Grade “Enlarged Flower Drawings” and 5th Grade “Grid Drawings”!

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Self-Portraits with Personal Symbols – by 3rd Grade artists

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This lesson was inspired by the artist Frida Kahlo, who is well known for her self-portrait paintings and often incorporating symbols into her artwork.

This lesson took about 4 (40 minute) art classes to complete.

DAY 1:

Students were introduced to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, and learned about her interesting life and beautiful artwork!

We looked at a variety of images of her paintings as well as photos of her creating her art. We looked at photos and self-portraits of her and her many unique pets as well! (Students loved seeing her with her pet spider monkey, 4 parrots, a deer, a hawk and other interesting creatures! She loved animals and had a lot of unique pets throughout her life!

Students also learned how she originally wanted to be a doctor and studied medicine, but then was in a terrible trolley accident which left her bedridden in the hospital for a very long time. Her mother gave her paints and drawing supplies to help her pass the time in the hospital and set up a mirror above her bed, which led her to her love of painting, becoming an artist and creating her many self-portraits!

After discussing her use of symbolism in some of her self-portraits, and discussing what a SYMBOL was, students looked at a variety of student examples as well as my teacher examples.

For the lesson, I explained they needed to draw themselves large on the paper vertically, only including their head, neck and shoulders, (like in their school photos!) then to draw 6 or 7 symbols around them that reflect their interests and personality. The symbols should be drawn large and at least as big as their closed fist (making sure the objects are clearly identifiable and easy to outline and color in later on).

I reminded them to make sure the symbols should only be images, no text! They could connect to things that they enjoy doing, things that are important to them, a favorite memory, favorite foods, hobbies, seasons etc. They could however, add words in their shirt if they wanted.

Then, I reviewed with students how to draw the shape of the head and facial details as well as facial detail placement on the head, under the doc camera on 12 x18″ 80# paper. I had facial detail handouts to use and refer to as they drew with a variety of eyes, noses, and mouth images if they wanted to use them, but didn’t have to.

Students then started drawing soon after with pencil, drawing lightly in case they needed to erase.

DAYS 2-4:

Students continued drawing and once all details were added and 6-7 symbols were drawn around them, they outlined all lines with a black sharpie.

Students used crayons (pressing firmly! so the colors would be vibrant! ) to color in. I explained to find a crayon –(or two, overlapping and blending the two colors if needed) that best matched their unique skin color, hair color and eye color. (In previous years, kids used oil pastels to color in, but I wanted to switch it up and try good ol’ crayons for a change (and lets face it….less mess!)

As a final step, students chose one color to color in the background, to make their self-portrait and symbols stand out,  filling in the entire paper so no white paper was showing.

Once finished, students filled out a self-assessment on their knowledge of Frida Kahlo and on their own artwork! This sheet will be taped to the back of their drawings before going home.

To my 3rd graders in school, can you tell who’s WHO in these self-portraits by looking at their drawings and symbols?? : ) Take a look below! (obviously, the first two are very evident!) 🙂

Photos of students creating their beautiful masterpieces below student artwork too! (I guess that would kinda give it away now wouldn’t it, haha)

YES, YES….. I know…… I take a TON of photos!!….. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by! Check out below for my recent post on 1st graders “Dream Houses”!

Next up for 3rd grade…….Painted Organic Shapes Collage inspired by artist Henri Matisse!

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3rd Grade- Complementary Creature Prints!

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3rd graders did such a fantastic job printmaking!! Take a look below!

(Read more below the pics to find out how they were created, and to view my YouTube tutorial on this lesson!)

This lesson took about 5 (40 min.) art classes to finish, and create three prints of one drawing. We used markers and styrofoam printing plates to create our prints.

DAYS 1-2 

On the first day of the lesson, I showed students prints students created from previous years as well as my own examples. Then I showed them the first portion of my video tutorial and discussed what printmaking was. The book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak was inspiration for this lesson.

Kids then got to work drawing their own made up creature on 8.5″ x 11″ regular printer/copy paper with pencil. The goal was to create a unique creature, large on the paper, with simple lines and details. I explained their creature could consist of a combination of animals, aliens, monsters, inanimate objects, people, sea creatures, food, fantastical creatures….whatever they wanted!  Something that was from their own imagination.

(I didn’t get a chance to take photos of kids drawing so this pic and the next few with the pink background are ones I created for my video tutorial)

My example drawing

Once drawn, students then taped their drawing onto a sheet of styrofoam (the printing plate) to trace. Being sure to tape it to the top in two areas where there wasn’t any image, so the paper wouldn’t move on them while tracing.

Then using a dull colored pencil; not too sharp (if its too sharp, it could tear or puncture the styrofoam) they traced over all their lines pressing firmly but not super hard, to transfer their image to the printing plate underneath. I have them use a colored pencil so they can see where they’ve already traced over their pencil lines.

Below you can see the image has transferred to the styrofoam plate.

Once that’s done, students trace over all their lines indented in the styrofoam plate. They used a colored pencil for this step as well. The reason they trace twice (once with their drawing over the styrofoam and once on the styrofoam only) is so the indentations are deep enough for printing a crisp, clear image of their drawing.

Styrofoam plate all ready for coloring in with markers!

DAYS 3-5 

Students learn what complementary colors are, (colors opposite one another on the color wheel and consist of one primary color and one secondary color. (red + green, blue + orange, and yellow + purple).

 

Students learned that when complementary colors are used next to one another in artwork, it makes an image pop and helps make the artwork stand out.

On the styrofoam using regular washable Crayola markers, they colored their creature with one set of complementary colors, and then their background with a different set.  It’s important that the markers are juicy (aren’t dried out) for this. (I saved and set aside a large box of markers for just this lesson, to ensure students would have juicy markers!)

After the styrofoam is completely colored, they take off their taped on drawing and sprayed a sheet of 9×12″ 80# drawing paper using water from a spray bottle. (For the spray bottles, I just use recycled empty spray cleaner bottles after thoroughly rinsing out).

They sprayed the paper 6 times- two on top on either side, two in the middle on either side and two along the bottom on either side of the paper.

Then using a damp sponge, they hold down the paper along the bottom, and gently wipe going away from their fingers in one direction to help spread the water evenly all over the paper.

They then lay their colored styrofoam, color side down, onto the wet paper. They press all over the back of their printing plate using the flat of their hands to help transfer their image to the dampened paper. After pressing all over for about 10 seconds, they used a brayer (which is like a mini paint roller except it has a rubber roller) to roll over the back of their printing plate to help further push and transfer the marker to the damp paper to create their print.

(I explain to students it’s VERY important to always have one hand holding down the styrofoam plate, while pressing with their other hand or using the brayer, so they don’t move their styrofoam which would smudge their print, thus creating a blurry one).

Students roll the brayer over the entire backside of their plate for at least 15 seconds. Then while holding down a corner with one hand, they lift the opposite corner with the other hand to check if there are any bald spots. If there are any bald spots (where their isn’t any color), they roll over that area again and/or use their fingers to press into any smaller detailed areas where needed. 

Once they check all areas, they lift off the styrofoam plate to reveal their print!

There are a lot of steps involved in creating these prints, which can be tricky to remember!  So I have students watch the printmaking steps of my video tutorial in the beginning of the first couple of art classes when they have begun printing, to review and help them remember!

I’m so glad I decided to make that video for this lesson! Students find it helpful to watch and such a time saver from constantly having to set up and waste paper and marker ink each time as I would while demonstrating…. and since it’s recorded- I don’t ever have to worry about forgetting to tell them something!

Once they print their first print, they repeat the process of coloring their printing plates and wetting their papers to print, and pressing to create 3 prints of the same image total. This way, students have some practice with printing and have the opportunity to create a good, clear, colorful print!

Here is my video tutorial on this lesson!

https://youtu.be/njw-xLPtq_k

Thanks so much for stopping by! To view other art tutorial videos I’ve made click on “Art Instruction Videos” under the drop down menu or visit my YouTube channel!

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KINETIC ARTWORK BY 3RD GRADE!

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This was my 3rd graders last art lesson of the year before summer break! Kinetic Piranhas (OR…. any other creature really!) In previous years I had students draw only piranhas, but decided to open the lesson up to anything the students wanted to draw! They came up with some fantastic and creative ideas!

Students learned that kinetic artwork is art that moves and depends on motion from someone or something to make it move, in order to reach it’s full effect. This could be from a bunch of rotating gears, a computer, batteries, the wind, solar power, water etc. or in our case—hands to open and close the folded paper!!

Students looked at kinetic artwork by artists Theo Jansen, Arthur Ganson, Anthony Howe, and Mark Nixon before they began their drawings. Below the photos of students artwork, is a video of Theo Jansen’s “Strandbeests” kinetic creatures– watch the video! It’s incredibly amazing!

Doesn’t the one above remind you of something from Monty Python?! Or is that just me? 

 

Here are a couple videos on artist Theo Jansen and his AMAZING kinetic Strandbeests…..

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this post! Be sure to check back in a few days to see 1st grade “Dream Houses”, 2nd Grade “Thinking of Summer Self-portraits”, 4th Grade “Animal Drawings”, and 5th Grade “Grid Drawings”!! I will be posting these throughout the week!

If interested in checking out artwork by grade level, click on the grade level under the drop down menu!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

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COMPLEMENTARY CREATURE PRINTS! – 3RD GRADE

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3rd graders finished up their prints! They did such a fantastic job!! Take a look below! 

(Read more below the pics to find out how they were created, and to view my YouTube tutorial on this lesson!)

(haha don’t mind the “Dirty Water Bucket” in the background ….I don’t have a sink in my art room and use a water bucket system to dump out old water between art classes. I’ll probably blog about how I go about that for lessons involving paint at a later time. If you’re an art teacher and don’t have a sink in your room, please share what methods you use!) 

A panoramic picture of the 3rd grade prints –up now on display!! I love all the bright colors!

And then a pic of the same display… only non-panoramic because sometimes I can’t decide which way to post it!

 

This lesson took about 4 (40 min.) art classes to finish, and students created three prints of one drawing total. We used markers and styrofoam printing plates to create our prints! 

DAYS 1-2 

On the first day of the lesson I read students the book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak for inspiration. We discussed what printmaking was and I showed them students prints from previous years as well as my own teacher examples. They also watched the first few minutes of my video tutorial before they began drawing their own creatures.

Kids then got to work drawing their own made up creature on 8.5″ x 11″ regular printer/copy paper with pencil. The goal was to create a unique creature, large on the paper, with simple lines and details. I explained their creature could consist of a combination of animals, aliens, monsters, inanimate objects, people, sea creatures, food, fantastical creatures….whatever they wanted!  Something that was from their own imagination.

(I didn’t get a chance to snap pics of kids doing this step so this pic and the next few with the pink background are ones I created for my video tutorial) 

 

Once drawn, students then taped their drawing to a sheet of styrofoam (the printing plate). They only taped it to the top in two areas so the paper wouldn’t move on them while tracing.

Then using a dull colored pencil (not to sharp–if its too sharp, it could tear or puncture the styrofoam) they traced over all their lines to transfer their image to the printing plate underneath. I have them use a colored pencil so they can see clearly where they’ve already traced.

 

Here you can see the image has transferred to the styrofoam plate

 

Once that’s done, students trace over all the lines indented in the styrofoam plate once more. They used a colored pencil for this step as well. They trace twice so the indentations are deep enough for printing a crisp, clear image of their drawing.

 

DAYS 3-4 

Students learn what complementary colors are, (colors opposite one another on the color wheel and consist of a primary color and a secondary color–red + green, blue + orange, yellow + purple). They learned that when used next to one another in artwork it makes an image pop and really stand out.

They colored their creature (on the styrofoam printing plate) with one set of complementary colors, and then their background with a different set, using markers. I saved and set aside a large box of markers for just this lesson to ensure we’d have juicy markers!

Students were creative and made some cool unique creatures!! 

 

After completely colored, they took off their taped on drawing (if they haven’t already) and dampened a sheet of 9×12″ 80# drawing paper using water from a spray bottle and damp sponges –(For the spray bottles, I just use empty spray cleaner bottles after thoroughly rinsing out).

They sprayed the paper 6 times- two on top, two in the middle and two along the bottom on either side of the paper.

Then using a damp sponge, they hold down the paper along the bottom, and wipe going away from their fingers in one direction to help spread the water evenly all over the paper.

 

They then lay their colored styrofoam color side down onto the wet paper. They press all over the back of their printing plate using the flat of their hands to help transfer their image to the dampened paper. After pressing for a few seconds, they used a brayer to roll over the back of their printing plate to help further transfer their image. I explain to students it’s very important to always have one hand holding down the styrofoam plate so they don’t smudge their print.

Students roll the brayer over the entire backside of their plate for at least 15 seconds, then while holding down a corner with one hand, lift the opposite corner with the other hand to check if there are any bald spots. If so, they roll over that area again and/or use their fingers to press into any smaller detailed areas where needed.  Once they check again, they lift off the styrofoam plate to reveal their print!

I have students watch the printmaking portion of my video tutorial in the beginning of the first couple of art classes where they print, just to help them remember all those steps!

So glad I decided to make that video for this lesson! It’s such a time saver…. I don’t have to waste paper or marker ink each time as I would in a demonstration for the kids…. and since it’s recorded- I don’t ever have to worry about forgetting something while explaining!! I wish I had started make youtube tutorials a long time ago for those reasons!

Also— if I must be completely honest, students are way more engaged and STAY silent throughout the ENTIRE time watching my video— rather than when I am demonstrating in person under the doc camera! What’s up with that kids?!??!

As you can see in the photo above I have printing supplies (pre-dampened sponges, spray bottles, brayers, 9×12″ paper, and box of fresh new markers) along my extra “supply” table. Kids get their needed supplies and bring them back to their seats and print there. Water bottles, sponges and brayers are shared so I don’t need a ton of each.

Once they print their first print, they repeat the process of coloring their printing plates and wetting their papers to print  etc. to create 3 prints of the same image total. This way, students have some practice with printing and have the opportunity to create a good, clear, colorful print!

Click HERE to view my video tutorial on this lesson!

Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post! If interested, you can get email updates on when I blog next by signing up with your email over on the right hand side of the top of this page!

I’ll be posting again REAL SOON on new 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 4th grade artwork!! STAY TUNED!!!……

 

 

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CURRENT ART LESSONS UNDERWAY!! 1ST–5TH!

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Here’s what students are currently working on in Art class!

1st Grade: HOT AIR BALLOON COLLAGES

Students are using the Elements Of Art LINE and SHAPE to create these fun collages! These photos of student art are from last year. To learn how we are creating them and what the learning goals are click HERE. 

 

2nd Grade: BIRCH TREE LANDSCAPES

2nd Graders are learning about foreground, middle ground and background and how to create a sense of space in art for this lesson. The photos above are of student artwork from last year. Some students are finishing up their Love Monsters this Thursday and will begin this lesson after. To learn more about this lesson and how students will create this, click HERE and scroll down! 

 

*****I will be creating a YouTube video tutorial on the Birch Tree Landscape lesson soon, as well as a few “How to draw animals” videos for the lesson! Stay tuned!!!***** 

 

 

 

3rd Grade: COMPLEMENTARY CREATURE PRINTS

3rd graders will start this lesson soon once the 3D Winter Mugs are finished. To learn more on how these prints were created and what the learning goals are for the lesson, click HERE and scroll down! 

I have a YouTube tutorial on this lesson as well! Click under the main menu on “YouTube Tutorials” and view my video there! 

 

4th Grade: ENLARGED FLOWER DRAWINGS 

4th graders are currently working on this lesson inspired by the artist Georgia O’Keeffe! Photos above are by 4th graders from last year. Students enlarge a section of a flower while observing photos, using oil pastels. I LOVE this lesson and how we abstract the flower by zooming in and cropping just a section of a flower! 

To learn more about this lesson and learn how students will create these beauties, click HERE and scroll down! 

 

5th Grade: FALLING FOR FORESHORTENING 

5th Graders are currently working on these fun perspective drawings! These photos above are by 5th graders from last year and previous years. They learn about the type of perspective “foreshortening”, and draw the person’s expression to match what they are falling into, add details to the hands and feet and create a background using colored pencils. To learn more on this lesson, and view additional drawings click HERE and scroll down! 

 

SPECIAL EDUCATION: MIXED MEDIA FLOWER AND BUGS 

Students created these adorable flowers and bugs using cut paper and cupcake liners! Kids glued green construction paper for the grass and flowers stem and leaves, then painted ovals and/or circles on separate paper with tempera paint to create the bugs. Then they painted a cut paper plate for the large flower head with liquid tempera paint.

On day 2, they glued on their paper plate flower head, then a cupcake liner for the center. They then drew legs for their bugs with marker, cut out the bugs and added them to their flower picture with google eyes!

Once finished, I showed them how to draw flowers in grass and they colored in crayon!

Be sure to check out the previous post on “PULLED STRING ART” my special education classes created below!! They came out so beautiful!! 

To view additional artwork by my special education classes, click HERE! 

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AMAZING ART IN THE WORKS! Series #2!

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Parents and Students-

To give you a sneak peek into what kids will be creating in art, after returning from winter break, here it is! …

 

Everyone at ROOSEVELT Elementary will finish up their previous lesson before the break, (if needed), then start the Square 1 Art fundraiser drawings!

Then will continue onto the following lessons as AMVET  (read below).

 

BTW–I have only received the Square 1 Art box for Roosevelt so far.  Amvet Elementary will start on them once they arrive! 

 

For students at AMVET ELEMENTARY….

 

1st Grade:

Mixing Primary colors to create Secondary colors 

 

This is a 1 day lesson. Then in the following class, students will be creating “Mondrian Collages” using primary colors.

 

 

2nd Grade:

Finish Monet Inspired 3-D Water Lilies (2M and 2D) 

 

If finished- “Catching Snowflakes” portraits are up next!

 

 

3rd Grade: 

Finish “Self-Portraits with Personal Symbols” oil pastel drawings

 

 

THEN….. Create a “3-D Winter Mug”!!

(**PHOTO CREDIT OF 3-D WINTER MUGS ABOVE AND BELOW FROM MELANIE LABONTE-POIRER —VIA PINTEREST**)

This will be a new art lesson I’m trying out this year! I don’t have a teacher example of my own or students art to post yet– I’m super excited to try it though, and can’t wait to show my 3rd graders!!!! So fun!

 

 

4th Grade:

Finish “Victorian Houses” 

 

 

Then, create “Wayne Thiebaud inspired Mixed-Media Donuts!”

Donuts Inspired by the amazingly talented Mrs. Cassie Stephens! Thanks Cassie! 

Did I mention the sprinkles are created using three-dimensional puffy paint!?! This is one of my favorite lessons!!

 

 

5th Grade:

5th Graders will finish their “3-D OP Art Cone Drawings” if needed

Then….

Will start “Falling For Foreshortening” drawings!

 

 

 

Special Education will start a fun “Mixed-Media Sheep collage”

(photo above by “blps_art” via Instagram) 

*This will be a new lesson I’m incorporating, and do not have a teacher example or students examples yet– Can’t wait to try it out!!  How adorable are these bubble wrap sheep!! 

 

To view more art lessons by grade level, click on the grade level under the drop down menu! 

Thanks for stopping by!!

 

 

 

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