Line Sculptures

In Kindergarten we have started to discuss various types of Lines that can be created.  We started off by filling out a line worksheet and talking about the lines that were on it, we created a line painting, and finally we created our own Line Sculptures.  This project was a lot of fun and challenged the students to use their fine motor skills with the various types of paper folding and rolling.  They all did a great job!  I demonstrated the different ways in which they could fold their construction paper strips to achieve a different type of line.  It was up to them how they then glued their strips onto the paper, my only goal was that the line stuck up and away from the paper base.  

  We discussed what a sculpture is and how it's different from a painting or a drawing, students were then given the paper strips and glue and let loose!

Here are some of our Line Sculpture solutions:

This is a favorite of mine, a racetrack!

Warm Color Pumpkin

  In Kindergarten, we had learned about the warm colors through many different projects.  One of the projects dealt with the field trip that their classes took to the Rocca Berry Farm pumpkin patch.  Students talked about what the pumpkins looked like- the outline wasn't a perfect circle or a straight line. We worked together to create a drawing of a pumpkin, then we put the warm color paint inside of the drawing.  Students were allowed the ability to mix together the warm colors within their pumpkin, this was a lot of fun for them.

   We then started to create the background on the second day.  We talked about the cool colors and how they can be used to create a background.  Students painted with purple and blue in the sky and green for the grass.  We used some scratching with our brush end to create line designs in our sky and ground.  The next day students cut out their pumpkins and glued them onto their painted backgrounds.

  Here are some of our warm color pumpkins:

First Grade Sculpture Fish

   In first grade we just finished learning about sculpture and what it is.  We looked at a power point that showed students a variety of sculpture that allowed them to start building an understanding of what sculpture can be. 

   We then had an activity that students did where they applied their learning, they were grouped by tables and were given images of artwork that was both sculpture and not sculpture.  The students were challenged to look through the images and organize the images into what was and was not sculpture.  They had a lot of fun with this activity and it allowed them to talk about their learning.

   We then created our own sculpture out of paper, a fish.  The students created their own fish and then rolled paper strips and glued them onto a base to create water.

   Here are some of our products:

Fifth Grade Foil Reliefs

   In fifth grade we are finishing our discussions on different forms of sculpture.  I had a power point where students were able to compare sculptures in the round and relief sculpture.  The main difference between the two is that relief sculpture has a flat background that is either built up on or carved down into.

  We then discussed our project, students were instructed to think of a word which would become the subject of their artwork.  It could be their name, a nick name, a pet's name, anything.  We then created lettering and cut those out and glued them onto a background.

   Foil was then placed on top of our design once the word was glued down, then it was smoothed down around our design pieces.  We then discussed a patina and what it is.  We added a patina to our artwork by coloring in the front with a permanent marker and then rubbing it off with steel wool, causing different values of the marker to be shown in contrast with the foil.

   Here are some of our examples:

Second Grade Value Night Scene

   In Second Grade, we finished discussing two things that can be seen in many artworks, value and silhouettes.  We learned about silhouettes, shadows of objects without any inside details, and took time to draw four of our own silhouettes for practice.  We also watched this video where a dance group uses their shadows to create different figures.









   Students were then introduced to the concept of value and how artists make value scales.  We used both charcoal and pencil to create a value scale (one for charcoal, one pencil).  Students then applied their knowledge of value to create a night sky, looking something like these:

We created our different value areas by drawing concentric circles, allowing for them a space to put their round value scale.

After our background was done, we learned about how we can use silhouettes to draw a tree.  A tree silhouette was drawn on top of the value sky.

   Here are some final results:

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:

Third Grade Coil Pots

   In Third Grade we are finishing up our pottery project, focusing on coils.  We talked about the artwork of the Pueblo Native Americans and also discussed the different functions pottery takes within their daily lives.  We looked at the geometric designs painted on the surfaces of the vessels and also we watched a video showing potter Maria Martinez at work in her house, the students really enjoyed watching Maria working and learning more about her style.  Here is the video link that I show students during class, it is a two part documentary on Maria.

  After the video, we discussed how we will be creating our coil pots.  There are many important steps to take in order for the pots to be successful.  We  discussed the process of scratching and slipping our clay together, this is where you take two pieces of clay and scratch them like Velcro and add water to help it stick together.

  After they were fired in the kiln, the students learned about the glazing process and the steps needed to glaze their pottery.  Students picked out one color for their pots and applied it in three layers. 

 Here are our wonderful results!