Here is a little of what we have been up to!
5th Grade: Aztec Warriors
My inspiration for this project can be found at Deep Space Sparkle. http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2011/02/21/aztec-warriors/
Students looked at drawings of what historians think Aztecs may have looked like. We talked about profile view. Students used detailed patterns in the Aztecs clothes. This project took about 3 class times. One to draw with pencil, one to trace with permanent marker and start coloring with marker, and one to finish coloring. I rarely let the students put weapons or anything violent in their art, but I did let them have the choice of drawing an old fashioned weapon or something else in the warriors hands since they are supposed to be "marching off to battle" together. This project will go in our Latin America section of the art show!
4th Grade: O'Keeffe Flowers
I learned how to do this lesson at an art teacher's conference. It was originally in the September 2004 issue of Arts and Activities.
Students watched a short bio of O'Keeffe then looked at some of her close up flower paintings. I passed out photographs of flowers and gave the students 2 minutes to do a small sketch of the flower, making sure they zoomed in on it. We did this 4 times total with 4 different flowers. The students chose their favorite and drew it large on 12x12 white paper. We then did a glue line over the pencil. Black oil pastel also works nicely. Next class the students used analogous colors inside their flower, and contrasting colors in the negative space.
3rd Grade: Tinga Tanga People
Another art teacher in my district did this project with her students and I loved the patterns and bright colors. Thanks Tracey!
Students started by learning about Tinga Tanga, an artist that painted bright African paintings. Now the term Tinga Tanga Art is used for any African paintings done in this style. We started by using warm colors to paint our 9x12" background. Then we used cool colors to paint another 9x12" paper. On top of the three cool colors we used sponges, marker lids, and other objects to stamp shapes utilizing a printmaking technique. Next class we cut rectangles for clothes, and used black paper to cut legs, arms, and heads. Last, we used white crayon to add detail to the limbs and heads.
2nd Grade: Sunny Skies
Love the way these brighten up our school's hallways!
We stared by making our background on light blue 12x18" paper. In the first example, students used sponges to give their sky a textured look. In the second example, I had them use cool color swirls to look like wind. I found the students had a hard time handling the mess of sponge painting, so the swirls worked better. For the sun, students first painted the warm colors on 9x12 paper, then used sponges, marker lids and other items to "print" on their paper just like the third graders did for their Tinga Tanga people. Next class time, the students ripped their warm color paper in to about 2x2" sections then glued them collage style in a half circle on the side of their paper. Last we used gold paint to make the sun's rays.
1st Grade: Native American Headdress
I simplified this project from the blog That Artist Woman: http://www.thatartistwoman.org/2010/03/first-nation-headresses-art-project.html
Students started by tracing a half circle "rainbow" pattern to be the headband. We used Native American symbols to decorate the headband. We glued the headband to the bottom corner of 12x18 brown paper. Next we painted a 12x18 white piece of paper. We discussed what non-objective art is, and how we are just painting colors all over the paper, not trying to create a picture of anything. Next class, we traced feather patterns on the back of our painted paper and cut them out. We glued them next to the headband to look like they were sticking out of it. Last we each chose 3 real feathers to glue on top of the paper feathers. Could also add yarn with beads hanging down from the headband if time allowed!
Kindergarten: Picasso's Posies
This is a project I have done since my first year of teaching. I think I learned it during my student teaching. Thanks Denelle!
Students compared and contrasted Picasso's painting Guernica with his paintings about peace such as the inspiration for this project Hands with Flowers. Students chose from a variety of skin colored paper and traced and cut out their arms and hands. Next we glued them overlapping each other onto 12x18 white paper. Last students used tempera cakes to make stems and flowers behind their hands. Beautiful!
