ART for 1170

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.

  Not much time for a detailed explanation but I saw this idea on  zamoranoarts.blogspot.com and thought it was an interesting idea on radial design. There are great step by step instructions on the site.  I just love how they turned out. After the first day of classes only 3/4 of the students were finished but they were so excited that many took them home to finish and we will add to the wall as they come in.

Students studied the faces of Laurel Birch inspired cats and gave them a personal twist that I love.  They started by outlining their cat in white oil pastel and the next class gave them unique colors.