Rainbow Zebra

Happy Rainbow Zebras-this project was inspired by a Pinterest post (see link below)


Teacher sample with materials

Part I: Students select 2 colors of paper to cut (lines/stripes) to glue on a pre cut rectangular shape. Model how to cut from edge to edge. Cut and glue in a pattern leaving white space between each stripe.

Part II: Using tempera paint on large paper, students create a landscape for their Zebra. Connect sky to ground.

Part III: Design head using smaller pre-cut rectangle-embellish with the same color pattern as the larger (body) rectangle.

Part IV: Assemble all parts and add legs, yarn tail, mane and savanna grass.

http://www.artsonia.com/museum/art.asp?id=14583348&exhibit=424704&gallery=y

Still Life Surprise

Still Life Surprise-Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's sunflowers and an assortment of Dutch flower themed still life masterpieces





Part I using a ruler to create a table/horizon line and watercolors  students develop an understanding of foreground, middle ground and background. They could only use a total of 4 colors in the painting process.

Part II using folded construction paper students will draw and cut out a symmetrical vase to sit on the table.













Part III The flowers and leaves are torn paper, the centers are pre-cut or torn.

Part IV: adding details and a camouflaged insect of some kind (surprise!)

Starry Night in the Jungle

This first grade project combines Vincent VanGogh's Starry Night with Henri Rouseaus' jungle paintings. Using tempera paint, paper collage, color pencil and crayons our young artists created their own imaginary tiger/jungle composition.

Starry Night Sky with some jungle collage elements

Starry Night Sky with some jungle collage elements

Starry Night Sky with some jungle collage elements

Starry Night Sky with some jungle collage elements

Western Expansion

Starry Nights meets the Oregon trail.
Students created a Starry Night inspired sky with watercolor, sea salt and crayon. Torn black paper was used for the ground. Working in teams they connected their ground and developed a story based on their knowledge of the 1800's journey out west. We looked at art prints from the time and table hand outs of the west (animals, landscape and clothing styles of the Old West) for inspiration.
With scissors, more black paper and Sharpie markers they added the final details to their composition.

I think they did a great job!

My winter hat

We had so much fun doing this fun face drawing project. I was inspired by one of my favorite go to art project sites,

Art Projects for Kids : http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/2013/01/big-face-painting-tutorial.html

I made a few changes to connect with our winter/seasonal unit.

Student started with a pre-folded piece of long landscape paper. They drew a large U shape. Half way down from the fold they drew a small horizontal line (the start of the nose). Each facial element was drawn together using a red light/green light stopping and starting process.
Once the face was drawn the students could unfold their paper and add a very tall hat. The drawings were colored with crayon and color pencils and a pompom added the finishing touch.

Picturing America

The National Endowment for the Humanities has created a series of 9 short videos to connect with works of art from the classroom series of prints. These films integrate not only art themes but also connect to literature and social studies. Watch, learn and enjoy!

http://www.thirteen.org/picturing-america/

Color heart/color wheel

I find a lot of great art lesson ideas on line. One site that has been so helpful over the years is Art Projects for Kids. Kathy Barbro shares so many wonderful lesson ideas and tips as well as techniques and materials. A recent lesson I did with Ms. McBrides 2nd grade class is directly influenced by Kathy's site. It is a wonderful way to introduce the color wheel and color theory to young students and connect to the upcoming Valentine's Day Holiday.And who doesn't love color?

With older students this would be a fun way to explore the work of artist Jim Dine.

here is the link to Art Projects for Kids:
http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/2013/01/color-wheel-heart.html

Winter Day Snowman

Pre-K and Kindergarten classes both enjoyed making this project.

Part I, paint a snowy day. Using white paint, sponges, wooden pencil erasers and little cocktail sticks, the

young artists added white snow ground and falling flakes to blue construction paper.

Part II, cutting out pre-drawn circles (in 3 different sizes) and adding face details to the smallest shape, the students created a snow person. Once it was cut out and glued in place they could added details such as buttons (real buttons), a hat and or scarf.

Love the ear muffs, I'm going to add pom poms and make that a head covering choice too.

Torn Paper Self Portraits

Bird Prints

This is such a fun 4 part project that connects to 5th grade social studies while reinforcing skills and introducing students to print making as an art form.

I use a lot of handouts to support this project and allow a lot of time for students to develop a collect of bird drawings for their portfolio. They are encouraged to make notes and compare the line drawing resources with the color prints provided.

This project also integrates the travels and art work of American Artist James Audubon.

http://web4.audubon.org/bird/BoA/BOA_index.html