Primary/Geometric Birds

Birds are OVER, clouds are UNDER the wire.

Clouds are Organic, while birds are Geometric

The kiddos had not used the feathers, and were delighted with the chance.

I came across a lesson on Pinterest which used geometric shapes to make "birds".  It was just cute enough to try with the Kindergarten Crew.  It gave me the opportunity to review Primary/Secondary colors, as well as introduce Geometric/Organic shapes.  It involved so much opportunity for vocabulary, that it is a new favorite in my book.  I read a Bird Book to inspire us, which reviewed the concept of Near and Far.  We were able to discuss contrast, in the context of using a variety of colors- red beaks on red birds just don't show up.  And, Over/Under also came up too.  Such a fun little lesson, packed with so much good art information.  Little details like the wiggle eyes and the feathers encouraged the kiddos to stay focused and continue on even when a little tuckered out.  I am pleased with the results, and  I will be showcasing them in our upcoming Art Show. 

This Lesson keeps getting better...

Ever have one of those projects that you love to teach, but you keep re-vamping it every time?  For me, it is the Kindergarten Texture Plaques.  When I first began teaching 15 yrs ago (yikes) it was a lesson I taught to the Kindergarten as a way of exploring texture, and introducing clay and texture tools.  It was a big blob of clay, and we strung yarn through them, and wore them home.  Fun.  Then, I found a couple awesome packs of alphabet cookie cutters.  We began to cut out their first initial, out of the best section of their textured clay.  Even better.  This year, the lesson fell around Valentines day, so I first had them cut out a heart from their textured clay, and then we rolled coils and made their first letter to attach to the heart (including those language/writing skills).  I just so happened to have a huge donation of rainbow shoelaces (random) which we strung onto the hearts, and those finished with more time were allowed to use my beads to create a pattern on both sides.  The kids are delighted, and so excited to wear them home.  We used tempera cakes to paint them, and I had them put a coat of Acrylic Polymer Medium over the top to add a little shine.

Jim Dine Hearts- Kindergarten

So, this time of year, love is in the air (or at least, excitement is).  The little ones are seeing hearts pop up everywhere, beginning to talk about their valentines and I'm starting to see the shoe box valentine mailboxes walk into school.  Perfect time to review shapes, and symmetry.  The kindergarten students and I have been talking about textures.  So I taught them how to use texture plates, and we rubbed away.  Then, we cut our textured papers into hearts, and embellished them with a variety of textured materials such as paperclips, cotton balls, ribbons, foil, and beads/buttons.  After that all dried, I squirted a paint/glitter medium mixture onto their papers, and they spread, mixed and swirled with their paint brushes.  Our final step was to use black glue to "draw" the hearts back on top.  Very fun way to use a lot of textures, and bring in the always fun Jim Dine Hearts.

Penguins

So, the kindergarteners and I have been looking at penguins.  We've read stories, and then we went to "pebblego.com" an amazing site that my school subscribes to, that has animal info and videos in a very user friendly format.  We compared real life penguins to the ones in the books, discussing similarities and differences.  Then, we created our penguin paintings.  I didn't have them draw first, rather I gave a demonstration, then turned turned them loose.  I think they did pretty well, and I love how even though they all kind of started with my format, they have delightful personalities all of their own.

Kindergarten Caterpillars

I did one of those spring time favorites.  I save this for when the kids are getting antsy, and I need a crowd pleaser.  Rorschach paintings.  A great way to review color mixing and symmetry.  Then, we looked at the work of Eric Carle, and we created our own caterpillars by cutting circles, and using yarn snips for the legs and antenna. Very cute in my opinion! By the way, scholastic books has a great author interview with Eric Carle, who actually demonstrates how he made his hungry caterpillar.  The kids loved it!

Wild Things

So, recently, I've come across Scholastic Books on DVD at TJ Maxx.  For about $6 I get a DVD with 4 great stories, about 10 minutes each, and it even has the option to turn on the read along.  Great for subs, and also, great for introductions.  It is really important for students to hear a story well read, and although I love to read them a story and often do, this is a nice switch up once in awhile.  Anyway, I showed the kids "Where the Wild Things Are" at the beginning of art, and we talked about exaggerating.  During one lesson, I had the students draw and color a "Wild Thing", and we worked on our coloring skills.  They enjoyed the idea so much, that I had them continue it by using collage techniques to create a "Wild Thing".  I liked the results very much, and they can't wait to take them home.

Chickens in the Art Room

Looking for a way to incorporate some much needed drawing skills into the Kindergarten class, I decided that chickens are new enough, to force looking at details.  I showed images from the "Extraordinary Chickens" calendar, we discussed similarities and differences among the pictures, and then I turned them loose to create a "Chicken Portrait" with Cray Pas.  What fun! And, a lotta personality I might add.

Valentines Day Pendants

My Kindergarten students needed to learn some clay techniques, such as pinching and rolling.  By practicing our coils, and our spirals, students then shaped their spiral into a heart by pinching the bottom into a point, and shaping the top.  After adding some details with toothpicks, we set them aside for firing.  With a little watercolor paint used for embellishing, we are set for Valentines day.  Cute and full of Skills- that's a good project.

Snowbird visits... by accident

OK, I look forward to a visit from Snowbird as much as everybody else, but today, he showed up unannounced.  Seems he was supposed to be at another school in the area, and showed up at our school instead.  The kindergarten students had so much fun, and I had them right after, and figured, if you can't beat em, join em.  We were going to do winter landscapes with textural details anyway so instead of doing trees, houses, etc, I decided to go with it, and let them make penguins in the snow.  What fun- and not too shabby for a last minute switch up.

Tints- by K

Believe it or not- these are my "Kinder-Babes".  Before Christmas, they were so young, it was so hard to get anything completed.  I think... knock on wood, that maturity may be setting in a bit.  Look at them, with a paint palette (ok, a paper plate) mixing their tints, and NOT mixing all colors together.  They do an art teacher proud some days.  We did a simple landscape, working on the concept of the horizon line, and different sizes showing distance.  I had them trace their pencil lines so that they could really focus on where to put paint, but also wanted to reinforce the concept of outlining, and lines for structure.  Plus, a little work on the fine motor skills never hurts at this age.  Then, they mixed tints, and used them to paint their winter scene.

Snowy Day

This little girl made herself a "snow angel" and she remembered tracks in the snow too!
I lead this project in order to be able to discuss proportion and other drawing skills. This was pretty typical of my kindergart students. Not too shabby.
About the time I accused this boy of not following directions, he informed me that he was inside, drinking hot chocolate. Yep. I can see it now.

I wanted to work on some basic people drawing skills with my Kindergarten, and decided to use the cold weather to my advantage. After hearing Ezra Jack Keat's "The Snowy Day" we made pictures of how we dress up for the snow.