First Grade Symmetrical Insects

Students started this project by looking at images that all displayed symmetry.  We discussed how symmetry in art helps create BALANCE and is when the same shapes and colors are on both sides.  Students used their skill of mixing the primary colors to create secondary colors on one side of their paper and rubbed and opened up their paper to reveal the same shape on the other side.  The next class we took our monoprints and turned them in different directions until we saw an insect.  Then we looked at images at our table of insects and used paper to glue different symmetrical shapes on top.  We examined artist Christopher Marley who used insects in his art to give us ideas on how to create their beautiful patterns.

Fourth Grade Illuminates!

We learned how artists can communicate a message through letters which we call typography.  Students went back in time to study the history of illuminated manuscripts dating back to ancient Egypt.  We discussed the three people that went into illuminating manuscripts such as the Scribe, Parchmenter and Illuminati.  We played the part of the Illuminati and thought about how we could FILL WITH LIGHT our first or last initial by designing it to represent something about us.  After we came up with the design, we carved them into tooling foil in the style of ancient repousse artists, which we learned meant pushed up in french.  The last step was adding color.  Other artists we discussed were Robert Indiana and his use of letters in the iconic LOVE prints and sculpture as well as Barcelona graphic designer Alex Trochut.

Student Artwork

Team Building Through Emoji's!

For our staff meeting that took place in the beginning of November, we had a fun team building activity where the WRS staff were given some cut paper and a round circle format.  They were challenged to create an emoji that represented something about them.  Teachers carefully chose the color of their circle format, with some choosing the iconic yellow associated with emoji’s and others thinking outside the box using orange to represent a Tabby cat or blue to show their support of autism.  Some teachers decided to express something about them outside of their profession, such as their love of cooking or the beach.  Other staff members represented what they teach.  This art making activity showed what a creative staff we have at Woods Road School!

Tape it up Mondrian Style

Another great project that was lead by my student teacher this school year, was inspired by her love of tape and the artwork created by Dutch artist Piet Mondrian.  First grade students began this unit by examining the Mondrian's artwork and identifying the elements of art SHAPE, LINE, and COLOR and how they come together to create a non objective artwork.  Next, we discussed how Mondrian wanted his art to connect with others and we brainstormed how and why people work together/connect with each other in clubs  such as in girl scouts, sports teams, and when playing games.  

For the first day, each table worked together to put together an extra large puzzle of one of Mondrian's artworks.  At the end of class, students reflected on some of the challenges when it comes to working collaboratively.  Students discussed  how they had to be patient and wait their turn or help their peers put the pieces in the right places.  

Students putting together Mondrian puzzle.

The next class we focused on Mondrian's use of GEOMETRIC SHAPES and we drew our own and then used tape to add color on top of them.   The theme of connecting through art was played out in a variety of ways.  Our black lines that we added to our artwork had to connect to our shapes or edge of the paper.  Additionally, by working together in class activities and planning out the collaborative mural the students understood how they could all individually come together to create a whole 

artwork.

Composition A, 1923 Piet Mondrian

Pre-K Loves Donuts!

Joel Penkman

Our student teacher lead my pre-k artists in an Joel Penkman inspired printing project.  Students used a brayer to roll paint on a donut shapes sponge, which they picked up the sponge and pressed it onto the page. This created the base of the doughnut. Next class, students used pink, white and brown paint to put icing onto the doughnuts using the same technique of rolling a brayer in paint and rolling the paint onto the sponge. Lastly, we added sprinkles and other toppings by using Q- Tips and a fork. They dipped their object in the paint and dotted it onto the doughnut in different colors to resemble Joel Penkman doughnut box paintings.  We ended the class having fun reading the book Please Mr. Panda.  

Student Artwork

Sticking Together

To start off the year we discussed how artists sometimes work collaboratively or by themself to create a mural.  We defined a mural as a large piece of artwork for many people to see typically on a wall inside or outside.  Preschool through transitional primary used crayons and markers to create different lines and shapes on their popsicle sticks.  Second and third grade incorporated warm or cool colors using colors sticks and sharpies.  Fourth graders had the large tongue depressors and limited their color palette to either warm and cool, primary, secondary, complementary or monochromatic colors.  Many students chose to incorporate patterns into their sticks as well.  Once all of the sticks were created, our fourth graders worked together to organize them into these four panels.