Robot

Today my first grade students created robots. They assembled them using geometric shapes. We discussed and used primary colors. This covered several SOL's. After assembling the robot, the students went back in with a black marker to add small details. They really enjoyed this activity.

printmaking

This is both a printing lesson and a Complimentary Colors lesson. It's done using styrofoam  6'' x 8'' pieces. The students draw their name  REVERSED and letters BACKWARD on a 6x8'' piece of paper., then use rulers to add patterns and designs onto their letters. The design are then taped to the styrofoam and the students go over all lines. When this is done, remove the paper ( which is generally in pieces) and deeped any lines which do not show up well. Print the styrofoam 4 times, let dry, and tape together.   Susan





Khamsas

This is a project that I adapted to use for the "square 1" fundraiser last year. It is a . Khamsa - or Moroccan Good Luck Hand -  They turned out great. I stressed patterns and vivid color combinations. We also learned about overlapping in the process.

Aboriginal Animals

I did this project with my 5th graders for the "Original Works" fundraiser. Usually I do this with 4th grade and much larger, but they turned out wonderfully! You would be amazed at how into dotting they get.... I made folders with pictures of different Australian animals for them to look at when they sketched their animal, then they painted black outlines, and the next day they started dotting(with limited colors). Finally they paint the animal and finish the dots(with lots of colors o choose from). 3 classes total.

Statue of Liberty

I did this lesson with my 1st graders. It only took one day and they turned out pretty hilarious. It also goes along with the patriotic symbol SOL that 1st grade is teaching right now. :)

Tree of Life

This is a fun project I started last week with the fifth grade. It is based on the painting by Gustav Klimt. The students are having a blast with it. We used sharpies and colored pencil. We are doing the backgrounds in black and white pattern, so the tree looks full of life.
They are looking great! I can't wait until we are finished so that I can display them.

American Flag Collage

This was a fun collage to make with my fifth graders. They started out with a 9x12 piece of white paper where they sketched out the American flag using a ruler and pencil. Then they searched through magazines to find their collage pieces to glue to their flag. (I recommended pages with print for their white stripes to make it more interesting.) Once their flag was complete, they got an 18x24 piece of white paper and made the black and white border for their flag by using big pieces of black and white photos from magazines. The students had the option of tearing or cutting pieces for their collage.

This is my sample for my lesson for the book "I am the biggest thing in the ocean." It took me forever to figure out how to post the pic. I want the blogging thing to work, but when it takes me this much of my precious time to accomplish something, it makes it really easy to give up. Will try to post again when I am not tired!

Rotating Symmetry Project

Lindsay and I found this project in a magazine a few years ago.. we tried it and loved it.  The objectives are: The student will identify positive and negative space in works of art. SOL 4.6; The student will demonstrate and use motor skills.; Student will identify and use variety, repletion and unity in an art work SOL 4.5; Create original works that are symmetrical and complex; Combine colors and values in an aesthetically pleasing manner; experiment with overlapping

I use a 12x 12 inch square piece of paper for the base. We fold it horizonatally, diagonally and vertically to make gluing guidelines. I have done this project with a fall theme and also with a winter theme. The kids love it and they turn out great.

Second Grade - Shapes

This is a fun lesson that I recently did with second grade. They chose 4 different markers and then chose 4 corresponding crayons. They were able to use any geometric shape they chose. I had them draw the shape and then echo it with the other three markers. They then colored each shape in. They repeated the process over and over learning about overlapping in the process. Great results and they loved doing it.