Peter Diem Cow Fever

Of course I did this lesson a while ago but never posted pictures because I'm not very good at this blogging thing. I've got a lot on my plate, it is my first year and all!

I got my idea for this project from Mrs. Impey and loved the idea of it. What a fun way to introduce pattern to the Kinders!

I tried step by step drawing with my first class, but after that was an EPIC fail I decided to draw out my own cow and copy it on my 9x12 paper. The students then only had to draw their spots (in black crayon) and add some pattern (in any other color).

I hung them on a close-line outside my classroom and always heard people commenting/complimenting them as they walked by :)

I will scan in my original and upload it for anyone who would like to use it for their own lesson.

Dale Chihuly 'Macchia'

I did this project back in October but did not get around to posting it.

My second graders learned how to draw Dale Chihuly's Macchia series using an organic shape to start and then used crayons to create a pattern and filled in the white spaces with watercolors.

My Kindergarteners used pattern and markers to create their coffee filter Macchia. They simply created the design and I stayed late rubber banding them over yarn cones and spraying them with spray starch (check out this post for a picture). I then mounted them to thick, colored mounting board that had a label with their name and class on it.

I created an arrangement with both projects to put in the glass display case in front of the library. The school is brand new, in its second year completed, so the display case houses an American flag, ribbon and scissors from the ribbon cutting ceremony. We are not allowed to remove it, so I worked around it.

Fall Bulletin Board: Pumpkins and Owls

Here are pictures of my completed fall themed bulletin board. It contains Owls from my first graders (idea borrowed from here) and Pumpkins from my second graders. The owls were created by using circle tracers, chalk pastels, white and black liquid tempera paint, sponges, and paint brushes! The pumpkins were created with chalk pastels.

I created this handout to guide my second graders after the demonstration. I'll scan in the sheet soon and add a downloadable version!

Here are some pictures of the finished bulletin board. I've received a lot of compliments so far :)

Kindergarten Macchia

After seeing this idea floating all around Pinterest I had to give it a try. My second graders drew their own versions of Dale Chihuly's Macchia (post on that still to come) and I thought these would be a perfect addition to the display I'm planning. Friday after school I stayed to rubber band and spray just under 60 of these coffee filter creations as well as label and cut the boards the Macchia will be glued to. I am excited to get back into school tomorrow and see how they turned out!

Kandinsky and Mondrian Bulletin Boards

My second graders' first project of the year was with the artist Wassily Kandinsky. They learned about his abstract compositions and the geometric and organic shapes he used in his compositions. They drew out their own Kandinsky inspired compositions using pencil, traced over their design with Sharpie and then used watercolors to fill in all the white spaces. Here are some pictures of the bulletin board I created to display these pieces:

My first graders' second project of the year was inspired by the artist Piet Mondrian. We talked about his use of vertical and horizontal lines that created squares and rectangles which he then colored with primary colors and black. We also talked about what abstract art is and how his paintings apply. My first graders practiced using rulers to draw their lines and then Sharpie'd over them. They used markers to color in the squares/rectangles. Here are some pictures of the bulletin board for this project:

Guided Critique Questions

Since I've been working so hard deciding on and creating handouts to support my SLO's I figured I would share this would the rest of the internet. My SLO for third grade is increasing written and oral communication skills through guided critiques and artist statements. I copied Jessica's idea from The Art of Ed and spun it to better fit my classroom goal. If you'd like to check out my Guided Critique Questions and download a set for yourself follow the link. Let me know what you think!

Warm and Cool Color Family Coloring Pages

So far the beginning of the school year has been busier than anticipated. I still need to take some pictures of my room to share, but I am still working on adding posters and quotes here and there. For now I've been working on my SLO's for the Teacher Evaluation SEED program. My SLO for second grade is about color theory. I created warm and cool color coloring pages for my second graders to use as an extension and easily allow me to monitor understanding.

Click on the images to download for yourselves.