Introduction Footprint

In this project we were to trace our foot onto a piece of construction paper, cut it out, and add things to it that make it ours.  We had to have three differents mediums used.  I used crayon, construction paper, marker, and computer images on my finished project. 

As an extension activity, in Social Studies we could be learning about how people come from different places around the world.  Students could make another foot that has things on it that represent their heritage.  That way students are learning about other countries, and their are learning about themselves as well. 

Watercolor Fish - Kelsey and Leah

In this lesson, we used watercolor, and learned a lot of different techniques that can be applied to watercolor paintings.  We then madet the background of our painting with either warm or cool colors only.  Then we colored our fish the opposite either warm or cool color, and used our techniques on our fish.  We had to include at least 3 techniques that we learned in class that day.  Then we glued the fish onto the background. 

An extension activity for the lesson could be a lesson learning about the sea and all the animals that are in it.  In Science, we could use this as an extension activity with our lessons on salt water, fresh water, and there animals.

Textured Painting - Kelly and Halima

In this lesson we were introduced to different textures.  We were given the primary colors and several different textures and told to make either a individual work, and picture of our name, or a pattern.  I chose to do my own individual work and used many different textures.  We were to include primary, and secondary colors in our work as well. 

As an extension activity, for a lower grade level we could go into a lesson on colors and numbers.  Assign a color to each number one through nine, and make a number line of the numbers.  Every number using its specific color, making it easier for the children just learning them to remember. 

Snow Globes - Mandy and Megan

In this project we focused on foreground, middle ground, and background.  We started off by introducing to the students to what foreground, middle ground, and background were.  Then we went through a video on using oil pastels.  Students started in the background and worked their way forward through their drawing.  They each added a personal item that made their "snow globe" their own. 

An extension activity for this project can be on different climates.  In science they learn about the different climate areas.  Also, you could use this in Social Studies.  Have students make the globes of scences around the world at different longitudes and lattitudes.  Then they can see how the tempertures change with the location of the destination.

Monochromatic Colors - Carrie and Kasandra

In this project, we worked with mixing a color with whites and blacks to get tints and shades of the original color.  We started by picking a geometric shape (at least 8) and overlapping.  We mixed the colors and then applied them to our paper, following the requirements of 3 tints, 3 shades, and at least one of the original color.  Once our projects dried, we outlined them in black sharpie. 

An extension activity for this lesson could be in math class working with geometry.  How do you find the area of the shapes that you drew?  How do you find the area of the circle that is being overlapped?

Pinch Pots - Shonda and Clarissa

In this project, we began by learning different terms that are associated with clay.  Then we were each given a ball of our own clay to work with.  Together we got our clay readied and then formed our bowls with the correct pushing techniques.  From there, we were on our own to come up with what our pot was going to look like.  The only stipulations were that we had to include a certain number of the techniques we had learned that day.  I chose pattern on the outside with the swirlies, scoring and adding a piece of clay with the sunglasses in the middle, and asymmetrical shape. 

An extension activity for this project could be a lesson in Social Studies about an area or group of people that once used the pinch pots.  This project could tie in very nicely.  They could learn about the different uses they were used for, and with their own pinch pots have to tell what the pot's modern use would be.  A great way to tie in history of a group of people with a hands-on project. 

Finger Painting - Starry Night

In this project, we first learned a little bit about Vincent Van Gough, and his style of painting.  Then, we began with a sheet of paper, tempra paint of the primary colors, and black and white.  We used only our fingers to paint in the style of Vincent Van Gough, and were making either a replica of Starry Night, or a design of our own.  All variations of the colors and shading had to be done by mixing the primary colors.  

An extension activity that we could do after completing this project is a Language Arts lesson on writing, and come up with a story line of a dream.  In the dream we see this image (of their painting) and they have to come up with a creative story on what this dream could be about.  Since dreams can be anything, students are encouraged to use fatasy as their type of writing.   

Starry Night Tissue Collage

In this project we used a new type of medium.  We used tissue paper and glue like paste.  We first ripped out pieces of tissue paper and lightly glued them one by one to a sheet of construction paper.  Then, we went over the entire piece of art with the glue like paste.  We let it dry and then cut out a front scene that would be like a shadow.  We added some oil pastels to the background for some more depth once the whole thing was dry. 

An extension activity for this project could be a lesson that incorporates paper mache.  The students could be learning about hot air balloons in science class. So, now they are making their own hot air balloon with paper mache.  They blow up a balloon and use the paper mache around the balloon.  Once the mache dries, they pop the balloon and they have just the outer shell.  They can then use their project as a tool to answer questions on a science quiz on how hot air balloons work. 

Hidden Safari

In this project we learned some safari animals, and then we each got to pick one to draw.  So, from a print out of the animal, we drew in sky blue colored pencil, the animal we chose... upside down!  Once we had finished that we talked about patterns, and used warm colors to camoflauge our animal drawn in the cool color blue.  We overlapped the patterns until our animal was hard to see.  The on way we could see them was by using our red glasses that had red lenses. 

An extension activity for this project that would be great with the age level is learning about animals.  Learning the different kinds of animals: mammals, reptiles, amphibians, etc.  Have the students do this project with an animal research that they choose, and on the back, have all the reasearch about the animal.  (What kind of animals might we want to hide them from? Where are they found? etc.)

Eric Karl Project

In this lesson we read the Eric Karl book " The Very Hungry Caterpillar".  We then had to come up with our own page to a book using the same kind of art Eric Karl did when making his books.  We made paper with patterns on it first.  Then we cut those papers up and used them in a layering format with overlapping to make our page. 

An extension activity for this lesson could be a writing assignment in Language Arts.  Each child finishes his or her own picture and then comes up with a story line and story behind it.  The student can pretend that the picture they have just made is the cover of their own little book. 

Elements and Principles of Design Scavenger Hunt

What a beautiful week it has been outside!! I have enjoyed being outdoors as much as possible when I am not at school or working. 

This picture I took is a great description of the colors of fall that I love.  The turning of the trees and fields. 

During this lesson on the principles and elements, we were directed to make a powerpoint with pictures of all the elements and principles.  Each slide had a different picture for the different element or principle, and this was my picture for depth. 

An extension activity for this lesson could be a science lesson on plants.  The students are learning about plants and they are to go out on an "adventure" and find plants to take pictures of.  Each plant they will have to include in a presentation and tell about the color, textures, and any detail that by just seeing it in a picture, they won't be able to express.