Third Grade Totem Poles

As apart of our Native American unit to follow our Wacky Weavings, we learned about the significance of totem poles and that they were (and still are) made by native tribes who lived in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The keys word for this project was STYLIZE.  We learned that some artists stylize their work by changing shapes, colors, and/or textures, in order to give their work their own personal touch. Each student created one stylized animal in the style of a real totem pole.  Before choosing which animal to create, each student read about what the animals symbolized to the Native Americans of the Northwest, and chose the animal that best represented themselves.  Each totem pole animal will be combined to create several life size totem poles exhibited in our school hallways.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning Lines and Color Mixing with TP

Our transitional primary students have been learning all about lines.  They started the year off by representing horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines with tape.  Now they have added to that by noticing a variety of lines in some of artist Jackson Pollock's work, and described them as curvy, zig zag, wavy, and spiral. We also discussed how Pollock used his whole body to paint and how he made art to express how he felt through lines and colors.   After working with a partner to make our own line paintings, our young artists filled them with their newly discovered colors! We discussed why the primary colors are so special (They can not be made by mixing any other colors together) and what the secondary colors are that they make. We  uncovered how to make different types of green, purple, and orange and some even stumbled upon how to make brown!

 

Echo: Number 25, Jackson Pollock

 

Jackson Pollock at work!

 

 

  

 

 

The Key, Jackson Pollock

 

 

Geometric Pre K Stamping

Our Pre Kinders just finished up their printmaking unit by first stamping with black a variety of geometric shapes paying careful attention to press down and pick up.  Once we realized how much fun it is to repeat our shapes over and over and over again, we then switched to color.  For the classes I saw more often we were able to use COOL and WARM colors for our stamping and then tested our color skills with the Pantone color card game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stapler Heaven

After our kindergarten CAP program students became familiar with using different textures and glue to make collages, we got our hands on some staplers and ditched the glue to attach our different fabrics and textures! Our little artists could not be more excited and became experts at how much pressure to apply to make the perfect staple by the end of their collage.

 

 

Personal Narrative Collages

Our first grade artists have already practiced arranging, gluing, cutting and creating people with collage and now they were ready to tell a story! We have continued to learn about and examine the work of artist Faith Ringgold.  For this week we looked at her painting Picnic On The Grass and pointed out all the areas where she uses PATTERN and what story she was trying to tell.  Next, we discussed as a class some things we like to do after school and if it took place inside or outside and with a friend or by themselves.  Then,  we went back to our tables and told our own stories through patterned paper and plain paper.  Some had ideas right away, while others used the patterns to inspire them.  We talked about how artists can sometimes get ideas from materials while they are working versus always having to have an idea before and sticking to it. Next, we will work on our last collage for two days and learn about TEXTURE.

 

Picnic on the Grass, Faith Ringgold

 

In progress

 

In progress...

 

I like to walk my dog after school.

 

I like to do gymnastics after school.

 

I like to sleep in bed with my sister after school.

 

I like to hang out with my dog after school.

 

I like to watch TV after school

 

I like to play after school.

 

I like to play Nintendo after school.

 

I like to ride my bike after school.

 

I like to play outside after school.

 

I like to watch TV with my dog after school.

 

I like to play outside after school.

 

 

 I like to visit my Aunt's dog after school.

 

I like to play outside after school.

 

 

I like to play with my rainbow loom bracelets after school.

 

I like to ride my scooter after school.

 

 

I like to have a picnic after school.

 

I like to blow bubbles after school.