3rd Grade Creative Color Wheels

 This is a new project; I have been searching for a lesson to take the color wheel beyond the basics of color mixing.  After using the primary colors to create the secondaries, and painting all colors in the correct order, students used their imaginations to transform their color wheels into part of a realistic drawing.  I was very impressed with the ideas kids developed, and the effort they put into adding details to their drawings.  Bravo!!

4th Grade Radial Symmetry Records

 Record donations from parents and staff have enabled me to present this fun lesson again this year.  We began with a discussion of technology, and how the way we listen to music has evolved over time.  After looking at man made and nature created objects that contain radial symmetry, students chose a patterned paper for the center of their records, and then developed a radial design based on the paper.  Repetition of shape and color were stressed, as students completed their designs with colored pencils - the results are fantastic!

4th Grade Giant Crayons

 As part of a larger unit on value, this lesson required students to paint 2 shades, along with their chosen hue, to create a multi color crayon or colored pencil. Students could choose to create their own crayon company, or use our tried and true Crayola brand.  They had a great time brainstorming ideas to name their crayons, and many also included spanish and french translations of their names.  My favorite color, for a crayon with shades of orange, was Rotten Pumpkin! 

3rd Grade Kandinsky Paintings

This project covered many art concepts, techniques, and artists - Kandinsky, Op art, color mixing, the color wheel, and weaving. After viewing Kandinsky's abstract paintings, students painted their own abstract designs, and were required to mix the secondary colors from the primaries.  Painting in rainbow order created a pleasing effect, which was enhanced by weaving through the painting with black paper strips.  Students LOVED looking at Op art examples, and many had their own optical illusion books.  These paintings look great when displayed closely together!

First Grade Warm/Cool Landscapes

Warm and cool colors were the focus of this landscape project, which I deemed a "painting extravaganza" -kids completed a painting for each color family, and then cut ice cream cone shapes from their cool paintings, that then transformed into pine trees.  Sharpie details and Q tip painted snow completed these beautiful paintings. 3 classes were need to get these finished, but it was worth it!

5th Grade Drawing with Light

 This is my favorite project of all time!  Coming from a Kodak family, I have always loved taking photos, and I have a great time introducing the kids each year to the magic of time lapse photography.  This lesson is also a fun way to teach contour drawing. Students were required to first do a lot of planning and practicing, after a discussion of camera basics, and what happens when a photo is taken for an extended time.  Our drawing tools were cellophane covered flashlights, and other glowing objects -including a multi color light stick that created a cool rainbow effect.  Team work and cooperation were crucial to this project, because students worked with partners, one posing, and one drawing. Bravo, Tesago kids!

5th Grade Gesture Sculptures

 This project is a natural extension of our gesture drawings.  Students began by building their figures out of aluminum foil, and after bending them into the desired action pose, they covered the figures in tape. Duck tape seems to be a better choice than colored masking tape, which did not stick very well.   An environment was created out of foam core board or tag board, and then I began the hot glue extravaganza in order to balance the figures and add details.  Student's personalities and interests were definitely reflected in their work!