The Last of the Dragons

Dragons and Castles

I love this time of year.  Grading is just about done, and I get to spend the last few days of the year enjoying the kiddos.  We finish up the work we didn't quite complete and we get to try out some projects that aren't for a grade, just for fun.  I taught the 2nd graders how to make clay dragons.  I'm moving out of my room, and don't want to pack up 1/2 used boxes of clay.  They loved it.  We "dunked" the finished dragons in a very watery green acrylic paint, then used tiny brushes to add little details.  Of course, some understood little details better than others.  We had also made castle drawings while waiting for the dragons to be fired, so I showed the kids how to put triangles on the back of their paper to prop it up, and we used it as a backdrop for the dragons. By dunking and painting small details, I have learned that clay will most likely be dry quickly, and in time for the dragons to be taken home same day.  If not, they just set them aside, and came back the next day to pick them up. It also puts color all over quickly, so you don't get that scratchy, brushed on look that can so easily happen when young students try to paint clay.

Art Room on the way!

OK, I have been so looking forward to next year, when my new art room will be constructed.  I then received news that I may have to start in one room, and move into the art room sometime in the school year.  Today, glory be, I  learned that the art room will indeed be under construction this summer.  I think I'm starting to get a whiff of that new art room smell...

Elmer- finished

So, here are a few of our finished patchwork elephants.  The kids had a blast, and actually took 2 classes to finish their elephants.  I had thought this would be an end of the year "quickie" but they felt otherwise.  As they finished, some began to use markers to add other elephants, their name, etc. 

Picassos in the making?

It's the end of the year, I'm looking for some fun, along with a way to review skills, make sure the kiddos are ready for the next year, etc.  So, here is my take on a Cubist-Self Portrait-Tints and Shades kinda thing.  Not so sure today's class truly did their best, but Spring has sprung here in Hermitage, the bulldozers are blazing outside (to me, it's the melodious sound of a new art room a'comin) and the fact that we FINISHED them speaks volumes. :) I had each student draw a simple head and shoulders self portrait, and break it up with some lines.  I gave each student a paper plate with black, white, and their favorite color.  Their mission was to create as many versions of their favorite color as possible.  The green one has great potential, if I can get him to finish painting in his black lines.  He kinda lost focus today.

Fun Stuff Goin On!

Ok, I love to read the story of Elmer, the patchwork elephant to my kindergarten students.  I want to convey the idea of patchwork, but somehow we always get hung up on elephant drawing.  So, this year, instead of wasting valuable time on the elephant outline, I used a stencil (gasp) and drew out the elephants in advance.  This allowed my kiddos to focus on the idea of patchwork, and filling in their shape.  We had a blast, and they truly enjoyed the variety of papers I provided.  Incidentally, if you are like me, an avid scrapbooker, you've probably got papers laying around that did not work like you wanted, came in a pack, or are just plain outdated.  This is a fun way to "edit" and the art room benefits from it!

Anyone else at that point in the year where you will just about stand on your head to get your kiddos to stay interested?  I sure am.  I was looking through an old School Arts and found a lesson on Clay Dragons.  My second graders are building some valuable sculpture skills, and are getting a rare chance to use the variety of texture tools I keep on hand.  Even the not so "dragony" ones are kinda cute, and the kids LOVE them.  Can't wait to see them painted.