Second graders combined simple forms to create these adorable penguins. They practiced rolling spheres which they flattened to create the eyes and belly. An egg shape was formed for the body. Two smaller egg shapes were flattened for wings. The beak was a flattened cone.
Metallic paper and fiberfill were used for ice and snow. Students added eggs and fish for interest.
Fourth graders viewed examples of hand blown glass ornaments as the inspiration for this collage. Students sketched an ornament by stacking ovals, rectangles, triangles, etc. They folded their sketches in half vertically, then cut out the best side. This pattern was traced onto the back of foil paper. The ornaments were cut out and then decorated with smaller shapes. Glitter was used to outline shapes and create decorative lines and dots. Glittering was done inside of a box lid to contain any spills.
These whimsical trees were part of a lesson in color mixing. First graders mixed yellow and turquoise blue tempera to create their favorite green. They practiced painting smooth brush strokes as they turned recycled yarn cones into holiday trees. Two glittery pipe cleaners became garland wound around the tree. Jewels, sequins, glitter poms and a doily tree skirt completed the tree.
First graders can:
Identify cones.
Mix yellow and blue paint to make green.
Identify art used in celebrations.
This lesson was a huge success in my art classes. The structure of drawing from a photograph combined with the freedom in designing the background appealed to all students.
Fourth graders drew an eagle in profile by working from a photograph. They added a patriotic background that included stars and stripes, and red, white and blue. Students worked with oil pastels on black paper.
Tracy Albert, from May Whitney School in Lake Zurich, developed this lesson.
Second graders formed 2 pinch pots to create these cupcakes. One pinch pot was pressed into a silicone cupcake mold to create the cake. I mixed slip until creamy for the “frosting” that was spread onto the other pinch pot. Fruits and candies were scored and attached. The fired cupcakes were painted with tempera paint, then protected with a coat of tempera varnish.
Second graders learned about the life and work of George Seurat. They drew butterfly wings on 12″ x 18″ paper, then traced them to create symmetrical butterflies. Dots of color were added with tempera dabbers and dotters.
Beaded and quilled Native American charm bags inspired these felt pouches. A 9″ x 12″ felt piece was cut in two for the front and back pieces. Students planned a symmetrical arrangement of rectangles, triangles, squares and diamonds. Felt strips in different widths were easily snipped to form rectangles, triangles, squares and diamonds. Three colors were used for beads, yarn and felt decorations.
