Winter Landscapes in 1st grade

First graders are learning about space and size changes in a landscape. This lesson took two 45 minute sessions. We started out with a white paper and penciled in two snow hills. We painted the area above the hills with a blend of black and white tempera, double-loading the brush, to create a wintry sky, and dotted the sky with the back of our brush for snowflakes. We also used a smaller brush and painted some tree trunks on the background hill and topped them with snow.

The following week, we used Roylco Terrific Trees papers to make the larger tree trunks in the foreground - this paper tears very smoothly and easily, and has bark printed on one side and grain on the other - they are really cool.

We discussed the fact that the texture of the closer trees is much more visible than the trees in the background. We finished it off with some bright red cardinals made with geometric shapes.

Next week as I upload them to Artsonia, I will have the students create a title that describes the scene. Lovely work!

 

   

Still Life in third and fifth grades

Frida Kahlo's still lifes have been inspiring all of my students this fall. We learned a bit about her life and how many of her life experiences are shown symbolically in her art.
Third graders drew a full-size still life, mostly from observation of real objects, but they were also encouraged to include objects that represent something about themselves.

Fifth graders made two smaller still lifes on index cards. The first was completely from observation of real objects with realistic color, while the second was designed completely from memory using personal symbolic objects and expressive color. both grades used a planning sheet to help them think of ideas that represent them, both found in my Teachers Pay Teachers shop.

Fall wall hangings

My Needle & Thread Club students enjoyed making fall wall hangings using Roylco's paper mesh. It was very easy to work with, similar to burlap but smoother and no scratchiness. It took paint and embroidery very well! 

We started by drawing a large but simple fall shape on paper, and placed it under the mesh. We painted the areas with tempera and let it dry. Next, we embroidered and embellished with a variety of yarns, buttons, beads, and sequins. We hot-glued a ribbon to the top for hanging. I can see this working well for any season of the year, or even as a monogram. 

  

  

 K

New #petpARTners "get-started guide" available in TPT

We have just started our second year of #petpARTners, our community service project to raise awareness of the homeless pet population at our local animal shelter. Students create art based on these shelter pets and share them through social media and in exhibits around the community. They just love it!!!
If you would like to try this in your school community, check out my four page "get-started guide" for starting a program, making the art, sharing it, and even fundraising ideas. You'll find it right here in my Teachers Pay Teachers shop!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/petpARTners-a-community-service-project-3475456