2nd grade Symmetrical Insect Prints

In order to understand the principle of art, Balance, 2nd graders looked at various art reproductions and discussed the difference between Symmetry and Asymmetry. 

It's common to think of insects when discussing something balanced because insects are so symmetrical.  Check out this video of an insect photographer who captures photographs of bugs up close and personal.  Students were surprised to see the amount of color and detail.

We discussed common characteristics of insects, and students designed their own bug using lines, shapes, and colors.  In order to create symmetry, students only drew half their bug and then monoprinted the other side. 

 

After cutting out the insects and gluing to a clean paper background, students created a word border by writing about their insect around the outside edge of the paper.

I think it's interesting how each insect is completely different and unique.  The students really explored their own ideas and own personal artistic choices in this project.

 

 

 

 

 

1st grade House Sculptures

What is the difference between something flat and 3d?  What do you call a 3d artwork?  How can you turn something flat into something 3d?

These are all questions discussed with 1st graders in the past few weeks.  Students know the difference between geometric and free-form shapes, as well as the difference between shapes and forms. 

Students discussed the South African culture, Ndebele, who are famous for their brightly painted homes.  Students identified patterns, lines, and shapes in the designs.

Students turned an ordinary paper lunch bag into a bright, bold, colorful sculpture inspired by the Ndebele people. 

Aesthetic Discussions

3rd and 4th graders had some interesting discussions this week. 

 - Why is it important to look closely at an artwork?

 - What influences your opinion?  What influences your opinion about an artwork?

 - What can we learn from looking at artwork?

              The token response game is a classic way to get students to think about aesthetic issues and questions.  Students assign "rewards" to different artworks and then defend their reasoning.  Which artwork is your favorite?  Which is worth the most money?  Which took the longest to make?  Which artwork would you give as a gift?

              The Art Scavenger Hunt encourages students to look closer at artworks.  What changes as we examine them further?  Does your opinion change once you know more about it?

 

 

Kindergarten Number Paintings

Jasper Johns is an American modern artist known for making prints of numbers and other common parts of pop culture.  He was born in Georgia and grew up in South Carolina. 

Kindergarten students discussed how numbers are important in our world and practiced drawing numbers and letters. 

Students looked at various artwork and discussed the principal of art, Emphasis.  What is the most important part of an artwork?  What do you see first?  How do artists create emphasis?

Can you see the sparkly part that students chose to emphasize?

1st grade Landscapes

Thanks to The Crayon Lab for the lesson, 1st graders discussed the parts of a landscape and the artwork of Wolf Kahn.  Students know vocabulary like Horizon Line and Depth.  Students understand that artists show depth by making objects smaller and higher on the page.

Wolf Kahn's landscapes are very free and loose and certainly very colorful.  1st graders used liquid watercolors to brighten their landscapes with vivid colors.

4th grade Sculptures

Using magazine pages, 4th graders created materials to use for their sculptures.  We studied a couple abstract sculptors including Louise Nevelson and Henry Moore.  We discussed the characteristics of sculpture, materials used, and the meaning of abstract artwork.

Students were sent free as they experimented and manipulated the materials to create sculptures that were sturdy and balanced.

Students discussed why artists title their artwork.  Is it to help explain the meaning of the work?  Is it to trick the viewer into seeing the artwork with a different perspective?  Students decided on a title and signed their sculptures.

2nd grade Community Collages

What is a community?  In what communities do you belong?  Your school?  Your family?  Your sports team?

2nd graders got into an interesting discussion about these questions.  We studied the life and artwork of autobiographical artist, Romare Bearden, and students used his artwork to inspire their own personal community collages.