It Takes A Village

I found a project idea in one of the art education professional magazines (School Arts or Arts and Activities, I apologize that I cannot cite which one!).  The project was titled It Takes a Village and I loved the way it combined ideas of collaboration and community with art concepts.  Even though the project was designed for 6th graders, I felt I could adapt it to be a perfect culminating project for my second graders this year.  The project was a class favorite and a huge success!

Students first designed their own cottage on small paper.  They drew inspiration from cultures of focus in the 2nd grade social studies curriculum, and from artists of study in the 2nd grade art curriculum.

Students then created a village by tracing their own cottage on a large paper, and choosing classmates' cottages to trace and add into the scene as well. Students paid careful attention to overlapping and letting their work fall off the edge of the paper.  A horizon line was added at the end of the drawing phase, with plenty of oohs and ahhs!

Students traced their pencil lines with Sharpies before painting with watercolor paints. Here a student is using semi-moist watercolors. These watercolors provide a nice quality pigment, but if enough water is not added they do not fully dry and remain sticky on the paper.  In the future, I would not give 2nd graders the option to use semi-moist watercolor paints and would save them for more mature artists.

Students also added color using standard watercolor trays and tube watercolors were used to mix special colors.

The background was painted using liquid watercolors.  I absolutely love liquid watercolors as they are bright and intense!

These finished pieces are a true testament to the title. It took a village to create the scene. My students had to rely on one another and share their creativity in order to complete each individual project.  What a great way to end the school year! 

See the full class set of paintings on my Flickr page

SmockTip #9- Slideshows Made Easy with PhotoPeach

I recently started using PhotoPeach and I couldn't wait to share it with you!  I am always looking for quick and simple ways to share student work electronically. With PhotoPeach you simply choose a batch of photos to upload, organize them, select music, and voila! You have an awesome slideshow to share with students and parents.

Check out my PhotoPeach stream here.

2A Radial Symmetry Designs on PhotoPeach
1C Mondrian Project on PhotoPeach
KA All About Me Robots on PhotoPeach

Arts Integration

Arts Integration

This past weekend I was lucky to take part in an arts integration professional development workshop with Dr. Barry Oreck.  He immersed us in a weekend full of dance, drama, movement, and making connections.  It was enjoyable and relevant PD. 

I translated the buzz and excitement of the experience directly into my classroom on Monday.  My 2nd graders have been working on a painting project that uses skills of design and pattern to explore radial symmetry.  I planned a movement activity to enable my students to physically become a pattern of radial symmetry.  I didn't tell them that they would be forming the pattern with their bodies, but instead let them discover it on their own. 

I took a photo of them with my iPad and immediately projected it on the Cleverboard for them to see. I was delighted when a student exclaimed, "Look! We made an example of radial symmetry!!!" 

Van Gogh and the Elements of Art

The second graders ended the school year studying the elements of art in Van Gogh's painting The Starry Night.  Students then created their own night scene using oil pastels. The project rubric required students to demonstrate the use of each element of art. Some students accomplished this by creating a replica of The Starry Night, while others came up with their own unique scenes. I love how their individuality was expressed in this project. The results were amazing!

Integrating Science and Art

I was about to begin an artist study of Georgia O'Keeffe with my 2nd graders when I heard that they would soon be taking a field trip to a local botanical garden.  I met with the classroom teachers who explained to me that the field trip was targeted to enhance the 2nd grade science study of plants and animals.  One key idea of the science unit was symbiotic relationships.  As explained in this lesson, a study of Georgia O'Keeffe is a great way to teach the artistic skills of drawing large & filling the space of the paper.  In addition to teaching art skills, I knew that I could also reinforce science concepts with this project.  

The symbiotic relationship between a hummingbird and flower

The Key to Successful Printmaking

I was feeling frustrated when the prints that my second graders were producing were not turning out nicely. I repeated a demo for the second time while referring to the steps of printmaking that were clearly listed on chart paper.  But while looking through prints after the second session of printing, I was disappointed in the quality once again.  

I had just started printmaking with the Kindergarteners and their prints were perfect. I reflected on what I was doing differently with the two grades, and figured out the key. COLLABORATION.  My Kindergarteners were making prints in small groups. One student worked at a time, with the teacher and peers offering tips and suggestions along the way.  I decided to take a step back with the second graders and have them work in cooperative groups during their next printing session.  The results were phenomenal!!! 

Collaboration is key in the art room!