Creating a lei

This week in art our task was to create a lei. After learning some of the language and history, it was time to create our own leis for May Day. We then learned about the four different techniques used with watercolors and then we were given time to practice these techniques. Then we created a design on watercolor paper and we had to use at least two techniques. After that we had to cut out flowers from construction paper and also from our watercolor paper. We had to have a total of 24 flowers. Then we began putting the lei together. We had a piece of string and a bobby pin. We strung the flowers on the string and the cut pieces of straws as the stems. After we were finished creating our lei, we were asked to give it to someone special in our lives.

An extension activity for this lesson would be dividing the class into groups and giving them each a topic about the history of Hawaii and some popular traditions. They would do research and put their information into a presentation that would be shared with the class.

Coil Pot

This week in art class we learned how to make a coil pot. We first started out with a lump of clay and we had to knead it so all of the air bubbles would come out. After a few minutes of kneading the clay we took our clay to the teacher and they used a wire cutter to check and see if all the air bubbles were gone. After that we would tear off a piece of clay a little bit bigger than our thumbs. This was used as the bottom of the pot. We flattened it into a circular shape. Then we learned how to make a coil. We started out with a ball of clay and applied even pressure with our fingers while rolling back and forth to create a snake like object that was a little thicker than a pencil. Once this was done we combined the two pieces together. We then scored each piece. This includes making smalls lines to help the clay stick to the other piece of clay. We then began stacking the coil on top of each other until it was a desired height. We used water, clay tools, and our hands to smooth the inside of the pot. We then had to let the pots sit over night so they could dry before we painted them.

After the pots were dry we could paint them. We had to include one primary color and one secondary color. I chose to use yellow and purple and then I also used white. Another requirement was including some kind of symbol that was important to us. I painted a yellow heart on my pot. The heart represents my family and how important they are to me.

An extension activity would be researching different kinds of pottery. Students would be given a country and they would have to find out what kind of pottery is popular and create an example of it.

3-D Design

This week in art we were fourth graders and were learning about 3-D design. We listened to a few pages from the book Oh the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss. Then we had to create our own town or village using the illustrations on the pages of the book. We had to use our imaginations. My table was assigned to use complementary colors so I used blue and orange. The others choices were purple and yellow or red and green. The other two tables, one was given cool colors and the other was given the warm colors. We then had to bend, curl, and twist paper to form a 3-D design. Finally we had to give our towns a name. My towns name was Crazy Spiral Town.

An extension activity would be to have the students create a story that would take place in their town. They could also talk about the history of the town and maybe how the town got its name.

Railroad Resources Display

After creating our Railroad Printmaking projects, we were told to create a display to show the wonderful projects. This is a picture of the display description.

These are side views of our display because the projects are so big they wouldn't fit all on one screen.



This display was fun to create because it shows how hard everyone worked on this project. Hopefully people will stop by and check out our projects.

Railroad Printmaking

Today in art class it was my groups turn to teach the class about print making. Everyone was given a rectangle piece of Styrofoam and were suppose to etch whatever design they wanted to into it. We had to fill up at least 3/4 of the rectangle with the design. I chose to use silver ink on blue paper. We used a roller to put a thin layer of paint onto the Styrofoam and then pressed it onto the blue paper or whatever color of paper that each person had. I kept doing this process until I got three prints I was happy with. Then we cut out the three prints. We then had to turn our prints into a train. The students were asked to put South Dakota resources into their train cars. I chose to put coal in my cars. The final step in the activity was to create a background for the train and also add wheels to each train car.

An extension activity for this project would be having students do a little research about the South Dakota railroads. They would have to write a two page paper about the railroads. Also they could include information about the picture they created. The students could explain why they created that background and its importance to South Dakota.

Marbling

This week in art class we did a project using the marbling technique. First, we each were given a picture of a famous place and we had to draw it on white drawing paper with a pencil. Then we traced the lines with a permanent marker so we could see the lines better. Once we were done with those steps you then cut out your drawing. Over at a different table was the marbling station. At this table you first spray a thin layer of shaving cream into a tin container and spread it around evenly. Then we had to choose three adjacent colors. I chose orange, yellow, and green. I put a few drops of each color on top of the shaving cream and then took my fingers and spread the paint around until I got the design I wanted. The next step was to lay the design face down into the shaving cream. When you lifted up the design, the marbling stuck to the paper. I let it set for a couple minutes and then wiped off the extra shaving cream. I then framed it on an orange piece of construction paper.

An extension activity off of this project would be in social studies and the students would have to do a little research about the place they had to draw. They would create a powerpoint and share with the class.

Macrame

This weeks activity introduced the class to macrame. We learned that there are many different kinds of macrame. Our project was to create a key chain. We were told that we had to use at least three beads on the key chain and it also had to be at least three inches long.

An extension activity for this lesson could be done in history. The students could do some research on the history of Macrame and the different types and ways that it is used. They could give a short presentation on the information they found. 

Puzzle Piece

This weeks activity started out by splitting the class into groups. One group was warm colors and the other was the cool colors. The warm colors group had the option to draw either a duck or a fox. The cool colors group had the option to draw either a fish or a frog. Once we had our animal drawn, we had to add some texture to the background. For the background, we either had to use lines, shapes, or patterns. Also we couldn't use any colors that were used to color our animal. And the colors either had to be cool or warm depending on what group we were put into in the beginning of class.

An extension activity for this lesson would be to create another puzzle and have each student draw something different. They would be able to choose whatever animal they wanted. They would also be able to combine the warm and cool colors. 

Plaid Bunny



This week we learned about complimentary colors which included: red and green, blue and orange, and purple and yellow. We were then taught about plaid and how to create it using vertical and horizontal lines and using different colors. We were then split into three groups and each group had a different set of complimentary colors. As you can see from my bunny, I was at the blue and orange table. We used different paint brushes to create different widths of lines. After the paint was dry we used cut outs to glue the bunny together.

An extension activity could be in math, having the students learn about vertical and horizontal lines. They could also measure each line. And talk about the differences between thick and thin lines.

Flowers Contour Blind Drawing

This weeks activity was to create flowers by using a blinder so we couldn't see what we were drawing. We were required to draw three flowers with a white crayon without looking. We then had to wet down the paper using water and a paint brush. Then we used warm and cool colors to paint over the top of the white crayon. You were then able to see the flowers.

An extension activity for lesson would be going further in depth with flowers. You could bring in different kinds of flowers and explain the different types. Also you could learn where each flower lives the best. For science we could also learn the parts of the flower and each student would have to label each part.

Hidden Safari

This project was a lot of fun. You first start out using a light blue colored pencil or crayon. It is very important that it is a light blue. We were then told to draw a safari animal. We turned our papers upside down and then we were suppose to imitate an example. After completing the drawing we then created random patterns using warms colors to completely cover the page. The magic of the activity was putting on the red glasses and you could see the drawing perfectly.

An extension of this activity would be for Science having the students do some research about the habitat of the animal they chose to create. They would then write a short description about the information they found.

Eric Karle Inspired Collages

We first learned about Eric Karle and some of his books. Then it was our turn to create a Eric Karle inspired project. We started out covering white pieces of paper with different colors of paint and making different textures. After they were dry it was time to take out our designs we had drawn before class and cut out the pieces we needed. Then I placed my pieces in the correct place and then used a glue stick to attach them down.

An extension activity for this project would be writing an entire children's book in your class and then letting each child design one page of the book. Once everyone is done you could put them all together in a book. Or another activity would be having them choose their favorite Eric Karle book and writing a paragraph about it and why they enjoy it.

Van Gogh Inspired

This week in art methods we focused on "Starry Night" painted by Van Gogh. The first activity we did was a kindergarten level finger painting. We were suppose to create something that looked like Starry Night or come up with something similar that created movement in the sky. The second activity we did was a third to fifth grade level tissue paper project. We used tissue paper, silver sharpie markers, and oil pastels. It was the idea to create movement in the sky, also create a skyline.

An extension activity off of this would be have the students create there own version of Starry Night. Students could use whatever materials they wanted. Some ideas would be markers, crayons, oils pastels, newspaper or magazine clippings. Then everyone would share their project with the class and the projects would be displayed on the wall.

Finger Painting Activity

Tissue Paper Activity

Elements and Principles of Art Scavenger Hunt

Color- Pillow



Line- Place mat off of kitchen table

Variety- Living Room Rug

Texture- Wall in the Living Room

Symmetrical Balance- Snowman

Welcome to my Art Gallery

Our assignment was to create a footprint that described ourselves. First I used pink paper because that is my favorite color. I drink coffee everyday so I thought that was something important to know about me. The blocks and book represents working at a daycare and also I want to become a teacher and teach the younger children so they work well together. The flowers represent spring which is my favorite season. The volleyball, basketball, and softball represent the sports that I played in high school and also enjoy playing now. I enjoy watching baseball and the Twins are my favorite team. To create this activity first trace your foot on a piece of paper and then start decorating it with any kind of supplies that is available. Another activity you could do with your students is have them create their footprints and decorate it however they want. They will then introduce themselves to the rest of the class. It shows the other students what each of their interests are. The teacher could then tape them to the child's desk and it could be their name tag.