Fourth Grade Clay Looms

    In Fourth Grade we discussed a type of art called functional art.  Students had the ability to learn about looms and different styles of weaving that artists use around the world.  We looked at different types of weaving like carpets, tapestries and clothing items.

  Once we discussed the process that goes into weaving, the students had the opportunity to create their own loom for weaving.  We used clay and rolled a slab, then cut out an organic shape both outside and inside.  Students then used various tools to poke holes through the clay for the yarn, then texture and decorations. 

  We used oil pastels and tempera paint to color in our looms, so we didn't accidentally glaze holes closed.  Students had a wonderful time coloring in their looms.  Students picked out the yarn colors to use and then began their weaving.

    Here are some of the results:

Elementary School Banner

  This year at Rousseau Elementary we created our annual Elementary banner.  Our wonderful Fourth Grade students volunteered some of their class time to work on painting our design.  Each time we have done the banner, I have tried to tie it in to a project the students have learned about previously in the year.  We selected our Mola project to use as our banner's design.

  It took all three Fourth Grade classes about a week to finish the painting.  They enjoyed being able to see the project start from the drawing and go to the final painted product.  It really did turn out beautifully, lots of bright and bold colors standing out against the black background.

Fourth Grade Molas

In Fourth Grade, we completed a project where we discussed the Kuna people of Central America and their Artwork- Molas.  A Mola is a piece of fabric where the Artist uses many different colors and sizes of fabric to make their image.  The subject of their Art is anything from their daily life, animals they may encounter around their homes, or abstract images and designs.

We discussed different types of symmetry that can be seen in their various designs, Reflection and Rotation were the two main ones we focused on.  When we created our Mola designs, the Fourth graders were able to think of their own subject and create a sketch of their idea.  They planned out their colors as well as their layers in their sketch, so it was good practice in planning out their ideas before creating the final product.  The end results were very beautiful, a lot of cutting and work time went into the creation of our Fourth grade Molas.

Fourth Grade Pop Art

In Fourth Grade, our first project we discussed the artist Andy Warhol and the Pop Art movement.  We looked at how Andy utilized popular culture around him to create his artwork.  We created our own Pop Art drawings inspired by Andy's work, Fourth Graders selected something from their every day life that they wanted to use as their Pop Art image.  Some created candy, we are closing in on Halloween... it is on everyone's mind!  Others thought about clothing brands and some even created a depiction of their family pet.

After drawing, the students selected a group of colors to add to their artwork.  The same colors were rotated around, giving their drawings the identifiable Pop Art look.  Upon completion of coloring, students outlined their drawings to help their pencil lines stand out against their colors.

Fourth Grade Picasso Portrait

   In fourth grade, we looked at the many portraits of Pablo Picasso and discussed his technique used to create them.  We also discussed personal symbols that sometimes artists put in to portraits to give a hint of themselves being in the image. 

    Students created an outline of a head, they were instructed to create an organic shape so both sides were not equal.  They then drew a line down the center and created a face, different on each side.  The students then filled in their portrait with watercolor pencils and painted over with a wet brush so the colors blended together.  Once dry, the portraits were outlined with sharpie so the pencil could be seen through the paint.  Students also added symbols into their artwork that represented themselves as an individual.

Fourth Grade Op-Art

Fourth graders explored the crazy, mind bending world that is op-art (optical illusions).  We looked at Victor Vasarely , Bridget Riley and a handful of other op-art artists.  We also discussed value within artwork and how it gives the illusion of three-dimensions and space, both of which are important in op-art.  We practiced creating forms and placing value onto them.

The materials we used in this project were colored pencils.  I will definitely do this project again, the results were amazing and the students loved it!