Fifth Grade Head. :)

Fifth Grade Collaborative Sculpture

This mini unit began as an attempt to combine an introduction to bas-relief sculpture and conveying emotion through art.  Fifth Graders created these interesting faces using Model Magic.  The idea was to combine them creating a larger face showing the many emotions we all experience.  However, perhaps it was the instruction (start with the nose, push in the eyes, etc…), but MANY of the faces have a particular look that may have been better suited for a fall project…   In the end, the faces were added to the glass head (thanks for the inspiration, Mrs. Gallant) and the sculpture certainly begs for closer examination.  It makes me think of all the things spinning through our minds!  Enjoy!

Keith Haring dance Party

Fifth Grade

Keith Haring Inspired

 Dance Party!

Fifth Graders are learning about gesture drawing (quick sketches used to capture the movement or position of a figure), and what better way to practice this, than by examining the work of 80s iconic pop art/graffiti artist, Keith Haring?!  Students learned about the short life and work of Keith Haring and identified the common characteristics of his work.  Then it was on to the freeze Dance Party complete with the 80’s music of Bananarama!  Students practiced gesture drawings of classmates and then transformed those sketches into Haring-ish figures to be used in this collaborative “Dance Party” piece.  I love the fun result!

Check out Haring Kids for other great ideas!

 

Art in the Gym!

These silhouettes were a combined effort of several grade levels.  Second graders learned about analogous colors and painted loads of papers to use for the dots.  Fourth grade teams picked an action pose and traced a teammate on black roll paper to make the silhouettes.  Then whatever classes had a little time, had a mini lesson on mosaic art and color theory and began adding colored spots.  When finished, they wouldn’t fit through the laminator. I love them and did NOT want to see them tear in the gym in three weeks, so I cut them into laminator size bits, and ran them through.  Again, the amazing Mrs. Cresta to the rescue!  She pieced all the bodies back together (not an easy task) and got them all displayed in the gym.  What an impact!

The original inspiration for these came from Mrs. Peterson over at The Falcon Acadamy.  Thanks for sharing! 

The sports spheres were created by our fourth graders.  Click here for the details.

Contour Drawing- Sign Language Alphabet

Fourth Grade Contour Drawings

 

Fourth Graders are learning about CONTOUR drawing (a drawing of an object as though the drawing tool is moving along all the edges and ridges of the form- no shading is used).  They also learned about the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Initially, each student was assigned a sign language letter and created a contour drawing of his or her hand to be assembled to make a collaborative piece sharing a powerful quote by Dr. King. However, we ended up short a few too many letters for the quote to work, so we have some other important words to enjoy instead.

 

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 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 2.1 For color, explore and experiment with the use of color in dry and wet media. 2.2 For line, explore the use of line in 2D and 3D works 3.1 Create 2D and 3D artwork from direct observation 3.4 Create 2D and 3D representational artwork from direct observation in order to develop skills of perception, discrimination, physical coordination, and memory of detail 4.2 Select works for exhibition and work as a group to create a display

 

Our Fine Arts Studio

The Studio is shared with music- it is a tight space, but Ms. Gallant is great roomie!

 

Thanks to the amazing Mrs. Cresta and the Paint Store with the Purple Door for the gorgeous bucket display!

Sports Spheres- Using Value to Create the Illusion of Form

Sports Spheres

Last year’s fourth graders were introduced to the concept of using value (light and dark) to create the illusion of form in two- dimensional artwork.  Students began the unit by creating a value scale and using that to turn a circle into a sphere on paper.  Next we practiced mixing white with a color to create tints and adding black (very sparingly!) to create shades.  Finally we pulled all of these skills together to create these spectacular sports spheres!

MA Frameworks:

2.7 For color, use and be able to identify hues, values, intermediate shades, tints, tones, complementary, analogous, and monochromatic colors  3.1 Create 2D and 3D artwork from direct observation 1.5 Expand the repertoire of 2D and 3D art processes, techniques, and materials with a focus on the range of effects possible within each medium, 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

 

Organic Shape Monsters

First Grade Organic Shape Monsters

 

MA Visual Arts Frameworks: 1.1 Use a variety of material and media. 1.2 Create artwork in a variety of two-dimensional media. 2.1 For color, explore and experiment with the use of color in dry and wet media. 2.4 Explore the use of shapes and forms in 2D works.

 

This lesson was inspired by a post on Prek and K Sharing.  Thank you!

 

Insects on Flowers- Georgia O'Keefe Inspired Watercolor Paintings

Insects on Flowers

 

Last Year’s second graders learned about insects in their classrooms and then created these beautiful water color paintings in the Fine Art Studio.  Students learned about “zooming in” to create interesting compositions, overlapping to create space (an element of art), warm and cool colors, and blending water color paints.

 

MA Frameworks-2.6 For space and composition, explore composition by creating artwork with a center of interest, repetition, and/or balance Demonstrate an understanding of foreground, middle ground, and background

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 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

Family Portraits

 

Third Grade Family Portraits

Third graders used overlapping to create space on these beautiful family portraits.  Each family member is colored with crayon or colored pencils and color was added to the middle and backgrounds using liquid watercolors.  Many students included a symbol or object with each figure to share something with the viewers about that person.  Look carefully.  What can you learn about these families?  Enjoy!