Printmaking

Kandinsky Trees

Mexican Bark Paintings

Cherry Blossom Prints

I found something like this on Pinterest and went from there. I introduced the second grade students to the Japanese love of spring cherry blossoms. They then created these by painting watercolor backgrounds the first class and then brown tempera branches and stamped tempera blossoms the second class. We used 20 oz. pop bottle bottoms to stamp the flowers. It just happened to be around Earth Day, so we were able to connect recycling and repurposing materials. I loved how these turned out.

Level: 2nd grade

Length of time: two 45 minute class periods

Vocabulary: watercolor wash, printmaking, stamping, recycle, repurpose

City Collages

One of my adaptive art classes made these. They started by gluing the rectangle buildings and windows then finished with roofs and chimneys. It's a great way to discuss shapes and direction. The students had fun with these and were proud of how they turned out.

Level: Adaptive Art

Length of time: 20 minutes (two 10 minute stations)

Vocabulary: Color, Shape, Direction

Pinch Pot Fish

The first Grade students created these awesome little fish by making a pinch pot then adding details like the eyes and fins. This is great because it builds on their prior knowledge- I have the kindergarten students make very simple pinch pots. This takes two class periods, one to make the fish and one to glaze them.

Level: 1st grade

Length of time: Two 45 minute class periods

Vocabulary: Pinch Pots, Glaze, Fire, Kiln

Art Show

Here are pictures from my school's annual art show. Each student had something 2D and ceramic displayed for the event. It was a wonderful success!

Symmetrical Suns

My third grade students created these suns.  They started by folding the paper in half and drawing half of their sun. They did a pencil transfer onto the other side by rubbing the back of the paper to get it exactly symmetrical. Then they traced it with sharpie, painted with florescent tempera paint, and went back over the black lines once more. They love this project and I think they turn out great! This project takes about four 45 minute class periods. 

Level: 3rd Grade

Length of time: four 45 minute class periods

Vocabulary: Symmetry, Transfer, Craftsmanship

Paper Mache Masks

These masks were a learning experience for everyone involved. The fifth grade students were introduced to some African masks then began their own by covering a balloon with paper mache with a partner. After a couple layers and letting them dry, they cut them in half and built up facial features. They covered the features in paper mache, painted with tempera, then covered with a varnish.

And here are some of the final masks!
                                                 

Penguins

This penguin was done in an adaptive art class. I give the students the turquoise paper with two arches and they fill in with torn black and white paper. I do something similar with kindergarten students but they use tempera and it's a one day project.

Monoprinting with Kindergarten

The Kindergarteners had lots of fun with this. They painted a colorful background using watercolor then used shapes, rollers and stamps to create unique designs in black tempera over the watercolor.

Marker Prints

I thought I would try something different with one of my adaptive art classes. We carved into styrofoam, colored with markers and stamped onto wet paper. The results were abstract but really cool.

1st Grade Burger Collages

This first one is my example, but the students' work looks even better. The first graders had a great time making these and it was a pretty simple two day affair. It was a great opportunity to discuss composition and filling space.

Winter Showcase

I was inspired by another art teacher's blog (Art with Mr. E) for this one. First graders painted the background sky, third graders made the houses, 5th graders made the snowflakes and kindergarteners made the ceramic snowmen.

Positive and Negative Space Designs

My third grade students create these in one class period. It's a great lesson on positive and negative space, shape, and contrast.

Eric Carle Snowmen

Eric Carle inspired snowmen created by kindergarten art students. I know this isn't a new idea, but the kids love it and they turn out great! I like to emphasize shape a variety when I explain the directions for this project.