3rd Grade Aboriginal Art

Neutral colors were the focus of this fun painting project, that celebrates the incredible painting style of the Aboriginal culture.  I had never done this project before, so after 27 years of teaching, it was about time!  Careful placement of dots was crucial, and required a great deal of concentration.  Drawing an Australian animal also required skill!

The Magic Of Photography

5th graders have been working on creating contour drawings in a unique way - by drawing with light!  This project requires a lot of planning, practicing, and cooperation, and all students have been up to the challenge!  The process is fairly simple: I take a time- lapse photo over the course of a few minutes.  While one student poses, another one stands behind him or her, tracing their body with a cellophane covered flashlight, and adding details.  The results are spectacular!

Dream Weaver

Weaving can be a bit frustrating at times, but through the years I have found that all students achieve great success with circular weaving.  It's yet another fantastic use for a paper plate!  3rd graders were able to make connections between their weavings and Native American dream catchers.  The art element of color was an important focus for this project.

Dance Fever!

5th graders began this project by posing for each other, and capturing each pose with the gesture drawing technique.  After drawing some impressive dance poses, they were required to develop an idea for a final drawing, based on figures in motion.  The most challenging aspect of this project involved the creation of music, represented by color, line and shape.  I am proud of their efforts!

Color Wonder

Sometimes when I am preparing materials for students, the materials themselves look like artwork!  This paint was prepared for a 1st grade "blob" painting...

I'm Positive - it's Negative Space!

This challenging project required 4th grade students to have an understanding of negative shapes and space.  They were very intrigued with the vases/faces illusion, in which the positive and negative continually flip.  Motivation was high as students brainstormed ideas for interesting shapes to cut - the results are striking!

Beautiful Birch Trees

 Students focused on a number of art concepts to create these watercolor paintings: line, shape, texture, warm/cool colors, and pattern. Increased student awareness of the natural world has been the result of our birch tree discussions. The fact that this is 2nd grade work amazes me!