Wow we have had a blast in 4th grade painting tropical landscapes with chalk. During this lesson we talk about foreground, middle and background and how to achieve depth on the 2D picture plane. We looked at the artist Vincent van Gogh and his landscapes with Cypress Trees and discussed the variables such as size, detail and color depending on an objects placement. This year we incorporated the tropical theme of our upcoming Grandparent's Day into our artwork. We painted the sky with swirls of color like van Gogh using the warm colors of a sunset. I placed small bowls of warm colored chalk pastel, small bowls of white paint and small bowls of water on each table. I demonstrate how to dip the chalk in a small amount of white paint and apply swirls to the paper sky. Once swirls of chalk are applied to the paper, a student dips a finger in the water and gently blends the sky continuing in the swirling motion. Next we cut mountains and using the same chalk technique we apply texture to the mountain tops in greens, yellows and browns. Then we cut a strip of white paper with a slight wave for the water, glue it down and add the texutre of water in the direction of the waves in shades of blues and purples. Last, I demonstrated the drawing and cutting of palm trees which are to be placed in the foreground and touch the bottom and top of the paper. After cutting and gluing down the trees, students add the highlight using white chalk on the black trees showing the reflection of the setting sun.

 

 

 

In third grade we studied Vincent van Gogh and the period that he painted sunflowers. We read a story about his life and art and then practiced drawing and painting sunflowers like Van gogh. We think that he is smiling down on our artwork!

  

My 5th grade artists learned about the history and ancient art of metal tooling. We reviewed symbols and samples from South America. Indiginous artists used Mayan worship symbols consisting mainly of local animals that provided food and fiber. I shared photos from my travel experience to Argentina this past summer. Students selected from computer printed symbol ideas and created 5x5 drawings in their sketchbooks. They were asked to ensure they filled the space and include a border if space remained. The designs were then traced onto tissue paper and then transferred to the 5x5 metal sheeting (I purchased pre-cut) with a wooden stylist. I demonstrated the process of chasing and embossing to attain the 3D look. I circulated and demonstrated again at each table when students were prepared to attempt these processes. We had great success! Take a look at their amazing work!

 

 

Each year our students create Christmas ornaments as art projects that deck the halls of the fine arts building, hanging on the Christmas trees from Thanksgiving to the middle of December. This year I found a resource for mini canvases and easels that we decided to use to paint mini masterpieces. Though the project was time consuming and required hard work on the part of the students, the results were amazing. My 3rd graders were inspired by Picasso's Three Musicsians, 4th graders mimiked Matisse's Goldfish and 5th graders had the choice of Van gogh's Starry Night, Cypress by the Road and the Chair. We have recieved many positive comments from parents and teachers alike!

 

3rd grade Three Musicsians

 

 

4th Grade Goldfish 

 

 

 

 

 

5th Grade Van gogh's

 

 

 

 

 

 

4th grade artists learned of the history of Rose Windows and their origin in churches and castles. Students created their own Rose Window incorporating symmetry and warm and cool color rings. We used circle templates and folded the thin paper to evenly divide the circle. Students created their design with pencil and then retraced their lines with sharpie. Color was added with markers and we double matted using white and black papers.

 

 

 

My 4th graders had fun creating Native American inspired Story Necklaces out of air-dry clay. This lesson provided an opportunity for a literacy engagement. We read a Native American legend and the students made connections to their prior knowledge relating to other storylines and the Bible. The students sketched their story idea using symbolism which we discussed after reading a Native American poem that celebrates the art of oral storytelling. The next step was to build the story symbols out of air-dry clay around Nexlace (a plastic string). Finally students were able to paint their Story Necklaces with acrylic paint and write their "story" on an index card. Students enthusiastically shared their stories aloud in their social studies class.