ART for 1170

Students begin this lesson by learning about simple shapes and how simple shapes combined can create pictures. They use cardboard geometric shapes to trace their body form and then use oil pastels to add the color to their costumes. This looks just like her princess costume

A few samples of the great creations made by 2-5th grade students and Totem poles made by 6th -12th grade students.  Next week is another week. This allows me to test/explore potential lessons for the 900+ students during the school year. A student asked me if they could "make anything they want". I know that often strikes fear in art teachers. For me it's not what they make it's more I want them to have past knowledge so that their idea will be successful. For example not to thick or thin. But Erik is a great student and he wanted to create a "claw machine" that you see in arcades.  Pretty cool huh! I usually add glass marbles to the center before firing but this student didn't want to add any.  She is so meticulous and creates beautiful works. Love, love this totem bead

 I was working on this idea on the last few days of school.  Looking for ideas that motivate and inspire students. I thought, what is one of the "It" items I hear students talk about all the time now? The GoPRO camera and our love of the "Selfie".  So then I thought about artist and self portraits. The board isn't finished yet as I want to add the artists name and a large title with GOArt instead of GoPro. I was cleaning off the desk preparing my room for summer cleaning and realized I might as well put it up what I have ready now and have a jump start on September!

Second to last art class with the second graders and honestly the kiddos are checking out.  I found this donated box of sticker. TONS of different color geometric shapes.  We talked about the simple shapes of robots and then they were busy, SUPER engaged.

Trying to keep two schools straight and each grade/class completing a clay process each year can boggle the mind, for those counting that's 37 sections!  So many times I load the kiln and think "I'll remember this is such and such's class" Yeah right.  So I designed this sheet and keep it on a shelf in the kiln room.  I can write the teachers name on the level or if I split a shelf I can show how I separated the classes. This little gem has saved me lots of lost projects and keeps me better organized.  Hope you can use it too.

Final pictures of first Graders Mother pictures!! Love them!!

This lesson is one that makes me smile every day.  First grade students draw a LARGE picture of their mother or special person.  We discuss what Mom looks like when she is going out somewhere special, not the 6:00 a.m Mom or the having a garage sale Mom but how does Mom look different on a special occasion. The students use a large pizza cardboard to get the large shape. I remind them that Mom's head isn't really a circle like Charlie Brown so they use the upper half of the cardboard and then work to a smaller curve on the chin.  First in pencil, then trace their lines in Craypas. We then choose the flesh tone that matches Mom's skin.   

I just have one picture of the pout pout clay fish from 1st Grade.  I did this lesson three years ago and I was so happy with the success of so many of these compared to other pinch pot animal ideas I've done in the past. I usually don't like to repeat a lesson but success is success.  I also like to use the white clay but I forgot it was in the school garage and this oh so cold, cold winter had made it a frozen mess. The only soft clay I had was terracotta but I like the way this clay worked too. I've also learned that first graders have a lot, I mean A LOT of trouble writing their name legibly (who doesn't) on the bottom of their clay so I asked the students to put their name on a sticky note and set it under their fish so I could write the names when the clay became leather hard.

It seems like we don't make enough time for 3D building. This is a small class of eight students I see with para support. I was worried about "eating" our artwork before we had time to build a structure but there was just a bit of tasting and then lots of engagement. I provided plates of small marshmallows  and gumdrops (3 bags gumdrops/2 bags marshmallows) and a box of toothpicks. Students were encouraged to build up, over and under. This lesson would be effective for K-5 although the older students would probably require LOTS of materials.

Yes, I've been busy. Haven't all of us??? Well I did have a fantastic trip to San Diego to see my brother (he's a teacher too, science) and his family and to see my good friend Susan in Las Vegas AND.... GOT ENGAGED!!!  and some time for Bubble Soccer which I highly suggest for your next staff outing.   Okay back to work and blogging art stuff.