Primary/Secondary Color, Line Direction, and Tape Resist

First Grade Color Line Art

First graders created these beautiful abstract pieces while learning about line direction, primary and secondary colors and water color techniques.  Students began by using masking tape to create horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines on their paper.  Then they used a wet on wet water color technique to add red, yellow and blue liquid water colors to each section.  The “Ahhs and Oohs” as all the secondary colors erupted were such fun!  Finally students carefully outlined each section with Sharpie to create additional contrast. 

 This lesson was shared by Christie over at Fine Lines.  Thank you, Christie! 

Frameworks:  .1 Use a variety of materials and media, for example, crayons, chalk, paint, clay, various kinds of papers, textiles, and yarns, and understand how to use them to produce different visual effects 1.2 Create artwork in a variety of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) media, for example: 2D – drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, weaving; 3D – plastic (malleable) materials such as clay and paper, wood, or found objects for assemblage and construction 1.3 Learn and use appropriate vocabulary related to methods, materials, and techniques 1.4 Learn to take care of materials and tools and to use them safely 2.1 For color, explore and experiment with the use of color in dry and wet media Identify primary and secondary colors and gradations of black, white and gray in the environment and artwork 2.2 For line, explore the use of line in 2D and 3D works Identify a wide variety of types of lines in the environment and in artwork

 

 

 

Paper Sculpture "Playgrounds"

 

First Grade Killam Kids’ Space- The World’s Greatest Playground!!!!

First graders began this unit learning about the difference between 2D and 3D art.  They looked at several sculptures and used artists’ eyes to identify the medium used to create each sculpture.  Then, we discussed how paper can be used to create 3D art.  Students learned various ways to fold and roll paper and to create feet for each piece to stand on.  These interesting twists and turns were used to design the world’s greatest play structure.  Finally students decided how they wanted to “play” in their sculptures and they posed for the camera.  Look carefully- some friends are playing Hide and Seek!

Color Blotto Print Insect- Symmetry, Primary and Secondary Colors

Kindergarten and First Grade

 Blotto Print Insects

Students learned about the bodies of butterflies and dragonflies.  Like all insects, they have a head, torso, and abdomen.  Students began by tracing and cutting out their insect body, adding eyes to the head, and decorating the torso and abdomen with patterns.  Then they used paint squirts of primary colors (yellow, red, and blue) squished between folded paper to create their insect’s wings. 

Through this lesson students learned about symmetry, primary and secondary colors, as well as blotto printing.  The Oohs and Ahhs when the blotto prints were unfolded were THE BEST!

MA curriculum frameworks-1.1 Use a variety of materials and media, for example, crayons, chalk, paint, clay, various kinds of papers, textiles, and yarns, and understand how to use them to produce different visual effects 2.1

For color, explore and experiment with the use of color in dry and wet grade 4 media Identify primary and secondary colors 2.5 For pattern and symmetry, explore the use of patterns and symmetrical shapes in 2D and 3D works Identify patterns and symmetrical forms and shapes in the environment and artwork.

Textured Weaving

First Grade Woven Symmetry Art

 

First graders are learning about the elements or art- TEXTURE and BALANCE.  They created these woven designs using pipe cleaner for the warp (vertical pieces) and streamers and ribbons for the weft (horizontal pieces) using the over under pattern. 

 

The frames were made with an emphasis on bilateral symmetry.   Students cut their design from folded paper revealing identical sides when opened, and then carefully added the same markings to each side of the center to create SYMMETRY.

Line and Primary Colors with Mondrian

First Grade Mondrian Inspired Hearts

 

Wednesday and Thursday First grade Students (Monday kiddos skipped this lesson due to all the snow!) learned about the work of modern Dutch artist, Piet Mondrian (1872-1944).  Mondrian is famous for his abstracted works including vertical and horizontal lines and primary colors.  First graders began this mini unit observing works by Mondrian and then using folded paper to create a symmetrical heart or other symmetrical shape.  Next they added vertical and horizontal lines and backed their composition with vellum.  Finally they selected spaces to add primary colors.  They look lovely in the window with the light shining through the vellum.  All of this was done in one very busy class period! First graders were quite industrious.  Well done!

MA Visual Arts Standards: 1.1 Use a variety of materials and media, 1.3 Learn and use appropriate vocabulary related to methods, materials, and techniques 2.1 For color, explore and experiment with the use of color in dry and wet media Identify primary and secondary colors and gradations of black, white and gray in the environment and artwork Explore how color can convey mood and emotion, 2.2Identify a wide variety of types of lines in the environment 2.5Explain and demonstrate ways in which patterns and symmetrical shapes may be made 2.6 For space and composition, explore composition by creating artwork with a center of interest, repetition, and/or balance 5.1 In the course of making and viewing art, learn ways of discussing it, such as by making a list of all of the images seen in an artwork (visual inventory); and identifying kinds of color, line, texture, shapes, and forms in the work

First Grade- The Shape of Things

The Shape of Things

This lesson was inspired by the work of Haley Bishop on Bishop's Blackboard blog.  Thanks for sharing Haley!

Kindergarten and first grade  students learned that lines that connect creating a closed space are called shapes.  They also identified basic geometric shapes in the environment via a school shape hunt and practiced creating shapes with various mediums (crayons, markers, whiteboards, cut paper, even air drawing!).  Finally we created these original shape pictures inspired by the book The Shape of Things by Daryl Ann Dodds.

 

MA Frameworks-1.1 Use a variety of materials and media, for example, crayons, chalk, paint, clay, various kinds of papers, textiles, and yarns, and understand how to use them to produce different visual effects 2.4 For shape and form, explore the use of shapes and forms in 2D and 3D Works 3.2 Create 2D and 3D expressive artwork that explores abstraction For example, a student simplifies an image by making decisions about essential colors, lines, or textures. 5.1 In the course of making and viewing art, learn ways of discussing it, such as by making a list of all of the images seen in an artwork (visual inventory); and identifying

 

Notes for other teachers- Students used templates from tag board to trace the main shape they were working with onto construction paper and then cut it out.  The shape was mounted on white drawing paper and details were added with Sharpie and crayons.  This lesson also included an introduction to horizon line.  Students added the horizon line and used liquid watercolor paints the background

Organic Shape Monsters, First Grade

This lesson was borrowed from Pre K and K Sharing.  Thank you!

First Graders made these adorable organic shape monsters.  Our monsters were inspired by Jeremy Draws a Monster, by Peter McCarty. We reviewed geometric shapes and then moved onto organic shape.  Using a yarn loop, students created their own organic shape and then traced the outline of their yarn loop.  The next step was creating monster features, and really anything goes.  I provided monster parts handouts for inspiration.  Lastly students added a patterned border and painted over the entire page with watercolor paint.  Aren't these little organic guys so cute?

L-O-V-E the crown on this monster!

Emotion Self Portraits, First grade

This lesson was inspired by a post on Art for Small Hands.  Thanks for sharing!

 

First Graders learned about art being used to tell a story and facial expressions.  I absolutely L-O-V-E these self portraits!  The students really understood how to add details that pack a punch! 

Note for other teachers- these were not a hit for our Original Works Fundraiser.  Some parents shared they wished the artwork included color.  I felt the simplicity of black and white was part of the magic in these pieces. 

 I love this guy!  Haven't we all felt like this sometimes?!~