Symmetry monoprints, 2nd grade

Second graders practiced a monoprinting technique using folded paper and symmetrical shapes. A monoprint is a type of printmaking that creates a single, unique print, unlike other methods that create a series of prints. Great way to throw in some prefix learning - mono=one.
We discussed the variety of symmetrical shapes we were familiar with, and even talked about linear symmetry, since the shape we need to choose will be divided by a line. After drawing one half of our selected shape on the folded paper, we began our printing, one inch at a time. We paint an inch, print, paint an inch, print, so that the tempera doesn't absorb and dry before we can transfer it to the other side of the paper.

Year of the Rooster paintings

To celebrate 2017 as the Chinese New Year - Year of the Rooster, we made paintings using plastic forks instead of paintbrushes to create feathery textures. This idea came from the blog Kids Play Box.
K and 1 kids drew some simple shapes first and filled in with the fork painting, while the older kids made a few guidelines in pencil and worked mostly with the fork. We used detailing brushes for some of the tinier bits. I made handouts with information about roosters and some examples of roosters in art as well as their characteristics.

4th grade Ship Prints

I saw the work of artist Mario Bueno on the blog The Art Room Plant and wanted to give this "print on newspaper" look a try.

Although there was not a lot of information online about this artist, based on the post it seems he liked making art with transportation images. For the most part, it was a success and the kids really enjoyed designing their ships. We had a few incidences of the design fighting with the background print, but overall I would do it again. 

We began with examples of different types of ships, made contour drawings, and transferred them to the styrofoam printing sheets.