3 D paper sculpture

It's a small cookie world

Cookie people from around the world.

I provide cookie people patterns and show students how to place the entire pattern on the paper "dough" before they begin to trace. Using either regular scissors or "crazy" scissors they cut along their traced form and if time allows color a face .

Part II: time to add the "icing" so I bring out  collage materials such as stickers, bits of yarn and lace, scrapes of solid and printed papers and tissue paper. Students refer to table handout that show cultural costumes from around the world for inspiration. In the end we have very colorful "it's a small world" cookies .

Where is the vase?

I shared this project with 2nd grade artists but it can be adjusted to challenge a variety of age groups. Where is the vase, reinforces the use of foreground, middle ground and background using watercolor and both torn and cut paper collage. Van Gogh's Sunflower paintings and other classic still life pieces are a great visual support element and discussion focus.

This project can also connect to color theory and the elements of art.

Torn Paper Self Portaits

 Students review the basics for creating a self portrait practicing on sketch paper with mirrors. Using head shaped patterns they drew a simplified picture of themselves on card stock. Construction paper and magazines were the materials used to complete this project. Students used glue sticks to apply the materials but scissors were not allowed, this was a torn paper art piece. I think they did a great job.

Take a Line for a walk Fall 2011

Black and White Op Art

Paper Tile Mosaics

Paper mosaics are a great way to revisit patterns and develop more complex designs. I like to connect this lesson with mandalas or Art from Ancient times.

Turtle oh lovely Turtle

Inspired by Aboriginal art work and the universal appeal of the mandala image students create their own collage turtle. This three part project is perfect to connect to classroom language arts themes and support district standards and cultural curriculum. Hand outs, discussion and art prints are an important element in the presentation of this project.

Part I: Using pre-printed mandalas students create the shell of their turtle using ccolor pencils, metallic color pencils and crayons . Review the color wheel and use of complimentary colors and or warm and cool colors color with a purpose

Part II: Provide an assortment of printmaking shapes and a limited choice of paint colors (connect to Aboriginal art work) students create a background for their turtle.

Part III: Students create a body and attach the turtle to the printed background. Finishing with markers and color pencils for details.

How to Doodle



6th grade students were introduced to the world of doodling and Zen doodling. Using a series of handouts and direct drawing prompts they created a dozen different textures, patterns and or designs in their sketchbooks. This exercise was used as a warm-up for several classes and provides a foundation for the next couple of projects. I found that so many of our students either don't know how to doodle or are afraid they will doodle "wrong" or make a mistake. I shared with them that doodling is about freedom, no right or wrong...but there is a time and  place so don't doodle during your math lesson (or at least don't get caught).



copy of hand-out found on line used
to inspire students



Zen Doodling/Zentangle is more formal and structured approach to the doodle but their site provides a lot of fun creative direct drawing prompts and promotes the healthy meditative benefits of doodling . Check it out or google zentangle to see some youtube tutorials on the craft



http://www.zentangle.com/

Black and White Stripes



a collection of class projects

Students cut out paper forming a black and white zebra stripe pattern. Look at images of zebras and discuss how the pattern works to protect the heard.
This is a great introduction to scissor skills and builds on pattern development. You can use regular scissors or "crazy" scissors with a decorative cutting edge. The white paper is the paper the students cut, and it is 1/3 smaller than the base black paper. Students must cut at least 5 stripes. I have also used this project as the base for an African shield project.  Vocabulary to introduce: negative and positive space, rhythm and pattern




May 2011 Take a Line for a Walk Part II

Take a Line for a Walk Part II students added color/pattern and design to their line drawing with Sharpie markers. The colorful clouds were cut out and changed into 3-D sculptures.

Today I Feel

1st grade design project. Reflecting on our face and the emotions we express. Lesson is supported by  the book "Today if Feel". Students build on their knowledge of emotions/feeling and make a direct connection to their art work. Using a head pattern students trace and cut. Facial features are selected from pre-cut shapes and forms. Small details are added with crayons and color pencils. All work is labeled with student name and the title "Today I feel...".

Fall Winter Harvest Basket

 Intro to weaving and building on pattern skills students create a paper basket, draw a table top and complete the still life with fruits, vegetables and leaves.

Kindergarten Penguin drawing

Direct drawing project using a rectangle as the starting shape. Penguins are always fun!

February March 2010

Today I feel...
first grade collage project-how does the human face show feelings, where do the parts of the human face go?

January-February 2010

1/2 face to face project
3 parts
Students were introduced to the layout/composition of the human face. Where the parts are and what do they look like? Using pre printed face patterns they practiced drawing a “realistic” face. Looking in a mirror they changed their expression and observed facial feature shapes. After completing their sketches, students selected a preprinted half face portrait. They attached the image to a natural backdrop and completed the picture by drawing the other half of the face.

November-December 2009

City wildlife Owls with Mola designs.

September 2009

Large Paper Skeleton
4th grade students cut and assemble large paper skeletons and decorate them in connection to
the "Day of the Dead" celebration.