Valentine Hearts Inspired By Pollock - Kindergarten

So in honor of Valentine's Day I wanted to come up with some new art lessons that used hearts (especially in groups of three), but in a less traditional sense. Typically when I see Valentine's themed art lessons the hearts are used to create shapes in animals, so I wanted to do hearts, but also incorporate artists or skills, techniques, etc. I also wanted to try out these lessons on actual students and had some volunteers both in private lessons and in classrooms.

The first lesson I will share is this one designed for kindergarten, but suitable for pre-school or first grade with some accommodations for younger learners who may not have developed sufficient skill with scissors yet.
In this lesson the materials used were: construction paper, marbles, tempera paints in primary colors, hear tracers, pencils, scissors and glue.

Step 1: In separate trays (I used the trays from microwave entrees) place the different paint colors and several marbles. Give each student a similar tray with a piece of paper that fits snugly in it (about 3 x 5"). Have students rotate between the three colors. They select one paint covered marble each. drop it on their papers in their trays and roll the marble around. Repeat with each paint color. Then repeat the process again on two more pieces of paper in different colors than the first.

Step 2: While the paint dries read a color-related story or a story about Jackson Pollock (the artist of inspiration). The color-related story I read was White Rabbit's Color Book by Alan Baker. It is a cute story about how the primary colors mix to form secondary colors and how all three combined make the color brown.

Step 3: By the time all students have washed the paint from their hands and listened to the story the painted papers should hopefully be well on their way to being dry. As they continue to dry distribute three more (3 x 5") papers, heart tracers, pencils and scissors. Demonstrate how to fold the paper down the middle, trace half a heart on the fold, cut while folded, and open up to reveal an open heart frame. Provide extra help with proper cutting, especially for younger learners.

Step 4: With the painted papers fully dry, have students glue their three cut-out frames over their three marble paintings. This will hide some of the paintings, but explain that this is okay and what is to be expected. Then mount the three finished framed heart painting on a larger sheet of paper either vertically or horizontally, whichever you prefer.

Here are some samples made by three and four year-old students:

Oaxacan Animal Drawings - Kindergarten & Grade 1

I filled in as an art sub for a day at a school that only has kindergarten and first grade students. The art room is located in the basement, so the space and the age of the students does put a few limitations on what can be done. However, despite these things the assignment left was one that introduced the students to Oaxacan animal carvings. This Mexican art is really great for younger students because it focuses on two things that are so fun to teach to this age level -- animals and colorful patterns. First the students got to practice saying Oaxacan (wa-ha-can). Then they viewed images of the carvings, named off tons of unusual animals (this part could have gone on all day), and finally brainstormed types of patterns. The patterns were toughest because while the students understand color patterns (red/blue/red/blue), they had a difficult time embracing shape and design patterns.

With all the preliminary lesson discussion done, the fun could begin. The students began their animal drawings with the prompt to make the animal huge to fill the page before adding a baby animal or background. The drawings are absolutely adorable and very colorful. The students drew their animals themselves using basic shapes as starters, so sometimes it is hard to figure out what animal they were making, but that is part of the charm.

Here are a few results...

First, a few turtles -- which were a popular animal choice:

Next, a unicorn and a baby lion -- there were a few unicorns and even a Pegasus:

Truly, I am not sure what this one is:

And this is an iguana/lizard -- my sample that I did was an iguana, so this inspired a handful of iguana drawings throughout the classes:

Lions made the list of "unusual animals" and were a good trade-off for those students who would have preferred to draw a pet cat -- these two are ferocious:

These bulls were made by two students in different classes and grade levels -- I love how intimidating the top one looks compared to how docile the bottom one appears to be:

And finally, these two birds really take flight with their bright stripes -- other popular bird choices were parrots, penguins, and even Angry Birds:

Communion of Saints Puppets Levels K, 1 & 2

Here is the description from the wall label:
Our youngest students were introduced to the lives of the saints in the creation of hand puppets. They carefully chose their puppets’ costumes, hair coloring and accessories. Then with the help of many parents and teachers they used scissors and glue to create unique puppets of many different saints who together form the communion of saints in heaven.

Materials used:

• Pre-made muslin hand puppets
• Fabrics
• Yarn
• Felt
• Wiggle Eyes
• Bead
• Misc. Items
• Elmer's glue
• Hot glue (teacher use)
• Scissors

Watercolor Resist Palms Paintings Levels K & 1

Here is the description from the wall label:

On Palm Sunday, students talked about why we receive palms and then created artwork where they experimented with the magic of watercolor resist. They began by drawing the palms branches with bight green and yellow crayons. Next they painted over their drawings with blue and purple watercolors and learned how wax and water do not mix.

Materials used:

• Crayons (greens & yellows)
• Watercolors (purple & blue)
• Brushes
• Watercolor paper

Fisher's Of Men Bottle Fish Levels K & 1

Here is the description from the wall label:

Jesus invites us to be fisher’s of men, just as He asked this of his apostles. We are all followers of Christ and compelled to share our faith through our words and our actions. In our missionary efforts we spread the word of Christ by talking about our beliefs. The early Christians, under the threat of persecution, did the same thing. However, they had a secret code that allowed them to know if the person to whom they were speaking was a Christian. Knowing that fish reappear in many of the gospels, they adopted the fish as a symbol of their beliefs. When meeting another person they would draw an arc in the dirt. If the other person drew a second arc, completing the fish symbol, then they could speak freely about their faith. Students were introduced to the Christian symbol of the fish in the making of their own fish using primarily recyclable materials.

Materials used:

• Empty water bottles
• Easter basket grass
• Wiggle eyes
• Fun Foam
• Fin & Tail tracers
• Scissors
• Pencils
• Hot glue (teacher use)

In God's Hands Birds Levels K & 1

Here is the description from the wall label:

Students talked about how God cares for all of us and for all creation. We are safe in His hands and that is why we have faith that things will always work out. With this concept in mind, students created their own birds of creation that rest in God’s loving hands. Those who finished early had the opportunity to create lilies using tracings of their own hands. Their fingers became the delicate petals.

Materials used:

• Crayola model magic
• Craft feathers
• Wiggle eyes
• Skin-tone fun foam
• Scissors
• Hand-tracers
• Pencils

Mixed Media Crosses Level K & 1

This is the description from the wall label:

The cross is possibly the most recognized Christian symbol. During the season of Lent students crafted crosses out of a variety of materials from buttons to sequins to polyester flowers. They had fun marbleizing the clay bases and blinging out the crosses.

Materials used:

• White and colored Crayola model magic (about 1/2 oz. per project)
• Colored large craft sticks
• Sequins, beads and misc. "bling"
• Elmer's glue
• Small craft flowers (cut from larger bunches)

Finger Print Pictures Kindergarten

In that same art room, the kindergarten students used their unique fingerprints to come up with all sorts of creatures and pictures. They were encouraged to use "only one finger" in an effort to keep things minimally messy. Each table group was given a large stamp pad and some pencils. Damp paper towels were provided to clean inked up fingers.

Here (and above) are some of the sample designs I did during the demonstration:

What's Bugging You? Some Lessons Completed While Substituting In An Art Room

These lessons were left for a general substitute to be able to do, so they are not particularly complex, but they are fine for the end of the year, especially if you have scraps of construction paper piled up in the art room.

The first project was a KINDERGARTEN one. The students use tracers for the body and wings. The dots are done in marker or crayon. Use a whole punch and a brass fastener to attach the wings to the body.

The second project would be suitable for SECOND or THIRD grade. This is a lesson with no tracer. Fold a piece of 8 x 10 black paper in half the long way ("hotdog") and draw just half of the outline of a bug body. Then cut it out. Make sure you are drawing and cutting on the folded side. When you open it up, you'll have a whole bug. Embellish with scraps of construction paper. Using whole punches of various sizes will make the spots interesting. Remember that the designs should be symmetrical.

North Shore Art Teacher Association Mosaics Workshop: May 19, 2011

As promised here is the first of many upcoming posts. In this post I am providing visuals of all the lessons from the workshop that I presented on mosaics. There are lessons for all elementary grades and a grade seven lesson that can be modified for grade six and up.

I am also including some pictures taken at the workshop so you can almost feel like you were there.

Suggested reading from the workshop.Ready for the workshop to begin.

Beginning with the heaviest of projects... large tile mosaics.Getting into 3D options for ceramic tile mosaics -- these examples are on terra cotta clay pots.Sharing the grade 3 lesson.

Talking about the materials for the various lessons.

Kindergarten Lesson

Download the lesson here:   Kindergarten Pressed Clay Mosaics

Grade 1 Lesson

Download the lesson here: Grade 1 - Mosaic Cities

Grade 2 Lesson

Download the lesson here:  Grade 2 - Mosaics Cubed

Grade 3 Lesson

Grade 3 Subway Style Mosaics Lesson (with recycled materials option)
Download the lesson here: Grade 3 - Subway Style Mosaics

Grade 4 Lesson

Download the lesson here: Grade 4 - Ancient Mosaics

Grade 5 Lesson

Download the lesson here: Grade 5 - Islamic Inspired Mosaics

Grade 6 & Up Lesson

Download the lesson here: Marvelous Mosaics