February art happenings - spread the LOVE!

Just like many other incredible art teachers out there, I enjoy using the theme of love to drive our art learning during the month of February. I try to squeeze in as many projects as I can with as many grade levels as possible. I like to refer to it as "heartwork month." If you'd like to see more pictures, please check out my Instagram - artwithmrskim to the right of this page! 

PRE-K:

My littlest friends - the PreK peeps, enjoyed weaving/wrapping (I'm still not sure how to refer to this process!) on cardboard hearts using small pieces of yarn. Fine motor skills practice and perseverance really came into play when we made these. Before class, I pre-cut the 5" hearts and made six notches around the edge of each one (boy, I used my art muscles!). I also cut 3 pieces of yarn per student in small lengths. Two classes used paint stix prior to the yarn work, however if you don't have them or are short on time, the cardboard looks great on its own in combination with the yarn! When finished, I added holes with a hole punch and tied on some string to make them into necklaces. We also spent some time working with construction paper crayons and paint to make a Jim Dine inspired heart to celebrate the season. 

KINDERGARTEN:

Kindergartners made a multi-media piece of artwork that included drawing, painting, and cutting with the final element being a yarn-bombed heart (I've been calling pipe cleaners, "fuzzy wire" these days). Another class had a bit more time so they also got to cut hearts using art magic! What a fun way to sneak in symmetry and help the kids build confidence. 

2nd GRADE:

2nd graders learned about the artist, Robert Indiana - who happens to come from my home state, go Hoosiers! We had been working in clay previously to this assignment so drawing in three dimensions was a great way to explore perspective and build upon our learning of working in the 3d realm - plus, they had a lot of fun! On Valentine's Day the kids made origami hearts using this video. We will continue exploring sculpture over the next few weeks, I can't wait! 

3rd GRADE:

3rd graders were tasked with making a graphic cube inspired by Robert Indiana's work. They designed each letter to make graphic statements across the paper. Some even challenged themselves by drawing the letters three-dimensionally. Many artists chose to use the iconic word, LOVE, but the assignment was open-ended and they were able to choose other positive words with four letters like, WISH, HOPE, LUCK, COOL just to name a few. Some of the lucky kids, like Emre and Lily, have names with four letters and chose to use their names :) 

May.....inside the Big Green Room

Kindergarten - Flower Pots for Mom 

Make a still-life with a flower pot and at least three flowers.

Add patterns to the pot using overlapping paper strips to mimic weaving.

   

1st grade - Hot Air Balloons (over India)

Make choices when developing my mixed-media composition.

Paint my own sky and include at least two hot air balloons with patterns.

Show depth in my artwork by including different sizes of hot air balloons.

2nd grade - Teatime Still-Life 

(Inspiration from MaryMaking blog)

I can create a still-life drawing based on another culture’s customs.

I can use lines and shapes to draw realistic objects.

I can add shadows to make my work look realistic. 

3rd grade - Russian Nesting Dolls 

(inspiration from Zakka Life blog)

I can learn the history of Russian nesting (Matroyshka) dolls.

Create a drawing of five matryoshkas in descending size. 

Form a repeating pattern along my drawing. 

4th grade - Greek Columns

Learn about the different architecture of ancient Greece.

Learn the order of columns developed by Grecians.

Illustrate columns and create an interesting background for them.

   

  

5th grade - Student Choice Multicultural Art 

Students will spend the last part of the school year working on a project that interests them individually:

Egyptian Style Portrait, Landscape Mosaic (Italy), Native American Still-Life, or Russian Cityscape

April.....inside the Big Green Room

  

Kindergarten - Collage Butterflies and Pinch Pots 

I can create a collage in the style of artist & author, Eric Carle.

I can use modeling and pinching skills to form a pinch pot.  

I can explain some differences between Play-doh and clay.

1st grade - Elephants of India 

I can learn about art from another culture different from my own.

I can create an artwork inspired by the elephants of India.

I can use shapes and different lines to capture a profile, zoomed-in view of an elephant.

I can incorporate a color scheme into my artwork. 

(Inspiration from MaryMaking blog)

2nd grade - Teatime Still-Life 

I can create a still-life drawing based on another culture’s customs.

I can use lines and shapes to draw realistic objects.

I can add shadows to make my work look realistic. 

3rd grade - Japanese Scrolls 

I can create an artwork in the style of Japanese artists.

I can focus on a small area of an imagined space for the focal point of my work.

I can use several types of art mediums to complete my scroll design. 

4th grade - Origami Cubes 

I can create an origami cube using specific folds.

I can understand that small gains are accomplishments.

I can accept that origami is a very complex and specific art form.

I can distinguish the difference between 2-D and 3-D forms. 

5th grade - Student Choice 

Students will spend the last part of the school year working on a project that interests them individually - the teacher will provide several choices - mediums will include sculpture, drawing, painting and weaving.

March.....inside the Big Green Room

Kindergarten - Awesome Initials

I can create a multi-media artwork that shows the initial of my first name and fills the space.

I can create interest in my art by adding a collage element.

I can work like a graphic designer when working on my initial design.

(Inspiration and photo borrowed from Kuvis and Crafts blog)

1st grade - Butterfly Field

I can create at least five flowers and color them in solidly using oil pastels.

I can use symmetry in order to draw a butterfly.

I can learn the difference between 2-D and 3-D artwork.

2nd grade - Chinese Lanterns

I can build a lantern from cut paper.

I can learn about the country, China, and the lantern festival which takes place on the last day of the New Year celebration.

(Inspiration and photo borrowed from For the Love of Art blog)

3rd grade - Aboriginal Dot Paintings

I can make a painting using the repetition of dots, creating unity in my work.

Learn about the Aboriginal people of Australia.

4th grade - Clay Cacti

I can form a pot from clay and create succulent plants using various hand-building methods 

and clay processing techniques.

I can add surface design to my clay pot in style of painted pottery from Mexico.

5th grade - Face Pots

I can create a face jug using my own design decisions.

I can use modeling and clay processing techniques when building my face jug. 

February......inside the Big Green Room

Kindergarten - Nevelson Assemblages - I can create a sculpture using found materials. I can talk about Louise Nevelson’s sculptures and think about their meaning. I can create unity in my work by painting my sculpture one color in the style of Nevelson.

*I am adapting this lesson from my wonderful colleague Mrs. Knight's Smartest Artists.*

1st grade - Street Scenes (featuring printmaking) - I can create a piece of art that incorporates stamping techniques. I can fill the space of my composition and use a variety of media to make it. I can draw several different types of automobiles to incorporate into my mixed-media artwork.

2nd grade - Relief Sculpture - I can apply color concepts to make lots of new colors on my relief sculpture. I can learn the differences between 2-d and 3-d artwork. I can talk about the positive and negative space found in my sculpture. I can show different line directions in my work. I can talk about how improvisation became important while I stacked and balanced the pieces of my sculpture. I can use my imagination to develop a story or meaning for my individual sculpture.

3rd grade - Clay Cupcakes - I can create a ceramic cupcake using hand-building methods, clay processing techniques, and surface design. I can use my personal experiences to influence how my cupcake will look.

4th grade - Surreal Rooms - I can demonstrate through drawing what perspective is. I can explain how artists using perspective to create depth in their work. I can draw details that make my room personal.

I can learn about surrealism and decide if I want to make that a part of my artwork based on a personal choice. 

5th grade - Two-Point Perspective - I can explain that two-point perspective achieves depth on a flat surface. I can learn the technical process for creating depth using my drawing skills.

Currently......inside the Big Green Room

*I am adapting this lesson from Deep Space Sparkle for use with my students this year at SDE.*

Kindergarten - Cool Snowpeople - I can distinguish the cool colors and how they are related to winter.

I can fill the space of my paper with lots of torn shapes to create visual texture. I can use an understanding of spatial relationships to paint/draw my own snowman. 

1st grade - Hot Chocolate Still-Life - I can demonstrate an understanding of 3-D forms through use of lines while drawing a cup of hot chocolate. I can discuss the difference between light and dark colors and explain how they are made.  I can use repetitive patterns in my work to create visual interest and rhythm.

2nd grade - Gyotaku Mono-prints - I can demonstrate how to create a mono-print. I can use collage techniques to embellish my work. I can learn about the Japanese art form known as Gyotaku. I can discuss the positive and negative spaces of my work. I can sign my artwork. 

*I am adapting this lesson from Mrs. Knight's Smartest Artists for use with my students this year at SDE*

*This photo is borrowed from her website until I take photos of student work.*

3rd grade - Shape Mosaics - I can create a collograph printing plate using a variety of shapes that I cut out from a variety of materials.I can learn about the art making technique known as mosaic. I can describe the difference between geometric and organic shapes. 

*I have adapted this lesson from Mrs. Knight's Smartest Artists and have used it with my students at SDE for a few years now with very positive results*

4th grade - Architecture Prints - I can make a set of prints and describe what it means to “reduce” a plate.

I can create an architectural drawing using lines/shapes. I can describe the positive and negative space in my work. I can learn about and be inspired by the contemporary artist, James Gulliver Hancock. 

5th grade - Radial Design Prints - I can learn about the reduction printmaking process and make a series of prints using this technique. I can sign and number my prints to form a series. I can create radial balance and unity in my work by using repetition. I can explain through words, what radial balance means.

Currently......inside the Big Green Room

Time is flying....I can hardly keep up! The kids have been working through so many wonderful assignments, but it's been hard to document all of it. We've worked very hard on planning and reflecting this year - we sketch and brainstorm before projects and fill out some type of rubric or self-evaluation when we finish up. I'm really proud of the kids - and our portfolios are looking pretty sharp, not to mention, they showcase a lot of Art learning! Here's what we're currently working on these days......

  

Kindergarten - Shapes with Mondrian - I can name shapes I know and learn what the word geometric means. I can earn about a new artist, Mondrian and his geometric art. I can practice putting together simple shapes to make an abstract work of art. 

1st grade - Vincent van Gogh Sunflower Pots & Autumnal Farm Landscapes  - I can learn about Vincent van Gogh and create a sunflower pot. I can use tools and glazes to make a textured surface design on my pinch pot. I can explain the difference between Play-doh and clay. I can create a landscape drawing that shows size relationships that coordinate with space. I can include details in my drawing that tell a story about the time of year and the place. 

2nd grade - Clay Fish -  I can design a fish and translate the drawing into clay. I can use found objects to create textures in my clay piece. I can use clay processing techniques to build facial features for the fish.

I can adapt to the situation and be willing to change my idea if necessary. 

3rd grade - Vincent van Gogh Bedroom Sculptures - I can create a sculpture based on van Gogh's bedroom painting using found materials. I can plan the design for my bedroom using inspiration from my own life and learn what an interior designer does. 

4th grade - Giacometti Gesture Sculptures - I can learn about the artist Alberto Gicometti and make gesture drawings. I can explain the difference between 2-D and 3-D work. I can make a gesture sculpture based off one of my sketches. I can cope with the situation if all does not go well on the first try and persevere until I am successful. 

5th grade - Calder Stabile/Mobiles - I can create a STABILE-MOBILE sculpture that shows attention to balance, form, shape, space and color. I can use a monochromatic color scheme for the base of my sculpture.

I can use a special code to create a secret meaning for my sculpture. 

Currently......inside the Big Green Room

Currently, the students at Spalding Drive are wrapping up a few lessons from Unit 1, while some have already been diving into Unit 2. We will be fully immersed in the art learning of Unit 2 beginning next week, so stay tuned for what's to come.......

Kindergarten - Color-Mixing Pumpkins: I can use the primary colors to create the secondary colors. I can draw a pumpkin using observation and imagination. I can create a landscape that is broken up into two distinct sections by using a horizon line. I can show visual texture in my artwork and explain the meaning of the word, texture.

1st grade - Goods and Services Ads: Project Based Learning Collaboration. I can create a graphic drawing that represents a good or service that I am familiar with. I can learn about what a graphic artist does for the community (artists who create work for printed or electronic media). I can fill the space of my paper to create a complete composition.

2nd grade - Underground Worlds: inspired by Mrs. Knight's Smartest Artists. I can be inspired by book illustrators like Beatrix Potter. I can visualize through my imagination what could be seen underground.

I can make a drawing of an underground world that is either realistic or completely imaginary/humorous. 

3rd grade - Warm & Cool Indian Corn: I can create an observational drawing of Indian corn. I can show continuity within my art by sticking to color palettes that I choose to use. I can incorporate shadows to add dimension to my work.

4th grade - Cezanne Still-Life: I can learn about the artist, Paul Cezanne. I can talk about how I feel about his work. I can discuss the value of an original artworks vs. a reproduction. I can create a still-life and appreciate that artists study everyday objects in order to become better observers. I can verbally share the typical subject matter often found in still-life artworks. I can demonstrate how to create an intermediate color. I can use forms to draw an apple, bowl and vase and use highlights to emphasize forms.

5th grade - Contour Instruments: I can create a contour line drawing of an instrument. I can recognize Op Art and the work of Bridget Riley and Victor Vasarely. I can understand and show how to use emphasis in a work of art. I can identify complementary and analogous colors.