Abstract Chalk Drawings

Day One: Students learned about non-objective abstract art. They then used glue to create an abstract drawing on black paper. First we started with shapes, then connecting those shapes with a variety of lines. No space could be large than your palm or smaller than your thumb. 

Day Two: Students used chalk pastels and outlined shapes. They then smeared the chalk into the center of the shape with their fingers. This created the glowing effect we love so much. 

Once they were done students look at their drawings from further away. I had them squint their eyes, and watch images and objects suddenly appear! Like magic, their imaginations were soaring. It was glorious!  

Wayne Thiebaud: Cupcakes

As a warm up for our upcoming "Food as Art" unit, 2nd grade students created some oil pastel drawings of cupcakes (or ice cream sundaes, depending on how you look at it). We layered the colors pushing pretty hard to get a painted effect. They look so good I could just eat em' up!

Tibetan "Resolution" Flags

Prayer flags originate fron India and can be found in countries usually surrounding Mount. Everest (Tibet, Nepal, India, and China). They are hung with intentions to carry blessings and prayers by wind. Usually each flag has a central symbol that is surrounded by text, and if you plant a flag it is said to bring you happiness, long life, and prosperity. 

Inspired by these flags and their purpose, I devised a lesson for my 5th graders as a way for them to express their hopes and dreams for the new year and for their futures. It is our hope that as they hang in the hallway we can be reminded of the things we want to accomplish. Along with being an opportunity to introduce a new culture, this project also allowed me to get to know my students a bit better and to celebrate the New Year.... and they make for a pretty snazzy looking display!   

Each color used in the flags represents an element of the earth and follow the order of the colors listed below. 

Blue = Sky/Space

White = Air/Wind

Red = Fire 

Green = Water

Yellow = Earth

My Instructions: pick five resolutions you have for the new year or the future. Use symbols to draw that hope/dream on a flag square. Arrange in order and hang from string. 

Surreal Figure Collages

To help 2nd graders understand the dreamlike world of Surreal Art I presented a slide show of images for us to observe. We looked at the weird and strange along with the interesting and inspiring. Along with the images, this video resource proved to be a hit! 

I was impressed with their results! 

Greek Vases: Scratch Art

After seeing this once or twice on some other sites, HERE and HERE, I decided to give it a try myself. 

On the first day 2nd graders were introduced to greek history, greek pots, and the terminology used to describe the major elements of a pot (mouth, neck, belly, and foot). We then reviewed warm vs. cool colors and talked about the warn colors used in greek pots. 

I then introduced them to symmetry. For this part I stand infront of the room to do a little symmetrical/asymmetrical dance. If I hit a symmetrical pose they put up one finger and if I hit an asymmetrical pose they put up two fingers.  (I have them join in if we have extra time at the end of a class and they love it!)  

Symmetrical. And no this is not me... But I should invest in a tie-dye unitard...

Asymmetrical... Thats more like it... but i do usually pick a pose I can hold

Once we have the basics down I have them fold a large piece of white paper in half, place a dot at the top and a dot near the bottom. They use their knowledge of the elements of a vase (mouth, neck, belly, and foot) to create a drawing along the fold. Once they have a vase idea on the paper they keep it folded and cut carefully. 

For the rest of class we begin coloring our vase in a thick waxy layer of warm colored crayons. 

Day Two: finish coloring with crayon and then paint over entire vase with black tempera using a flat foam brush to get an even coat. With the last minutes of class I review pattern and show them a couple shapes that repeat on greek pottery quite a bit. they them complete a pattern worksheet and come up with some designs and pictures they want to scratch into their vase. 

Day 3: Scratch day! Finally we got to what we had been waiting for! First I had them scratch three lines  about a half inch apart on the top of their page and again at the bottom. In those spaces they scratched their favorite patterns or designs. The belly of the pot was a space they could scratch in more freely. 

"Jump Rope for Heart": Abstract Paintings

The gym teacher at my school always has "Jump Rope for Heart" and "Hoops for Heart" in February to align with Valentine Day. We have put together a cross curricular lesson combining their gym activities and knowledge of heart related ailments with an abstract art lesson that is designed to adorn the bland gym walls! 

I was inspired to do this project not only as a cross curricular opportunity, but because our students have raided over 10,000 dollars for the American Heart Association!!! AMAZING! They blew their last years record out of the water!

We started with a black tempera that was watered down a bit so it would flow nicely over the paper. Start with five hearts (large), then create five circles in between the hearts to add more shapes, and then use a variety of lines to connect the hearts and circles together.

 On the second day we used colored tempera to fill in our black shapes. I used my premixed paint cups for this. Each table got five colors on a tray, then about every ten minutes I switched the colors from table to table so there could be more variety. 

On the final day we used oil pastels to clean up black outlines and add a variety of lines, outlines, and patterns. I'll post a picture of the gym once they are hung up! yay!

"It Takes Heart to be a Hero!"

Frank Big Bear

I have done this lesson for a couple years now, probably four times in total at different schools, and every time the results are just stunning. 

We discuss facial proportions, but break the rules like Picasso:)

We practice drawing eyes, mouths, ears, and a nose. (three sketches of each). We then circle our favorites and begin our drawing.