Clay monsters.

Fifth grade LOVED this project from the fall.  It was 2 days for construction, 1 FULL day for glazing.  I highlight full because there are so many details that we really needed the entire 50 minutes (and some students might have needed some lunch glazing, but they all got finished!). 

Abstract fall landscapes.

This is a very simple lesson that I found at Art Projects for Kids.  I have done it a few years in a row and I find it a great lesson for early in the year.  It only takes one class session, and the students love it and are generally very successful at it!

As long as your umbrella is pretty....

A controlled mess is a good mess.  At least that philosophy worked when I had first grade students create early spring rain umbrellas out of painted paper like the lesson I found at Use Your Coloured Pencils.

On day 1 students painted one 9" x 12" paper in cool colors and one in warm colors, and the students went nuts experimenting with various tools for texture and pattern (plastic cutlery, clay tools, an assortment of paintbrushes, etc).

On day 2 students cut their umbrellas and raindrops and collaged them onto gray paper, and added a big ol' "J" of a handle with black paper.  These could brighten up any rainy day!

Matisse Matisse, we love you!

Second graders absolutely rocked a bunch of principles with these masterpieces inspired by Henri Matisse's "The Goldfish".  First students discussed patterns found when you look at objects, both natural and man made, reeeaaaally close up. We then used these patterns as inspiration to make four of our own. Student employed one color of oil pastel in each section on a 12" x 18" paper, but they could use any shade of that color. (They mostly got that idea).

In week 2 we talked again about complementary colors (I describe it as how you might compliment a friend who has a trait that is very different.  "Ava I love how your red hair is so different from my brown hair, and I am complimenting you about it").  Students then used complementary colors to paint the sections on their papers.

In week 3 we talked a bit more about Matisse, and looked closely at his painting. We talked about how even though he was painting pretty realistically, the way he painted the four corners kind of look like our pieces.  We then drew cylinders, based on a short intro to 3D shapes, and filled them with water and fish and put them on tables.  These were cut and glued in session 4, but we also moved on to a different project that day, because these almost third graders can do that part in a flash!

I know a lot of people do something similar, but I got my inspiration from the fab Kristin Kimmell, one of the best art teachers I know!

Castle and Sun!

First grade students loved revisiting Paul Klee by studying the polygons (they are learning about those in the classrooms) that Klee used to build his castle in "Castle and Sun".  Now I did base this lesson on something similar that I found online earlier this year, but I can't find it again, so please let me know if it is your brainchild.

First we used brown tempera paint on 12" x 18" 80 lb paper to build the outlines of larger shapes with sturdy rectangles of cardboard (I'd say I gave each student a 2" x 4" piece).  Students gently stamped the edges of their cardboard so they didn't damage it.  They then went into the larger shapes to divide into many smaller shapes.  The finishing step this day was to add one circle (toilet paper tube) for a sun.

On day 2 (this took 2 50 minute class sessions) students used chalk pastel to color in their castles, suns, and skies.

They are BEYOND BEAUTIFUL!!!

Hearts for all Seasons!

Okay, okay, I did do these with Kindergarten students around Valentine's Day.  But it got busy there for awhile and I am trying to play catch-up with some posts!

These are just good, old-fashioned toilet paper tube printmaking hearts on 12" x 18" paper.  They loved it! I did experiment with a multi-media kinda thing with another class by having students, in class session 2, collage symmetrical heart onto this.  For that they used newspaper, old sheet music, and assorted scraps of paper.  Totally forgot to take photos, though!

Hands in Clay (in progress)!

Here are a few of the hands during construction time.

I love them all piled up in the kiln when bone dry.  Ready to be fired!