Intersession/Intercession

Folded Paint Drop "Iris"- our State Cultivated Flower

Gelatin Printed Bat Monoprints- not a state symbol, but a great connection as they learned about caves.

Gelatin printed Bats with Cut Out shapes-wherever a paper bat was laid, the ink was masked.  Cool discussion on Positive/Negative Space.

Stamped Ladybugs- Our state insect

Students spread green paint around their paper, and used palette knives to scrape designs into the "grass"

Foam shapes, cardboard tubes, solo cups, pencil times were used in the stamping. 

I had been referring to out fall break enrichment classes as Intercession, until it was pointed out that spelling it in that way meant to have people pray for you.  Intersession- all S's means in-between session classes.  That's what I was teaching, although, prayers are always welcome.  I joined with 3 other teachers, and we did a "Travel TN" series.  Students learned about East, Middle and West TN, created a brochure about their findings, and with me, they explored some state symbols.  We had a great time- and I hope I gave the kiddos some opportunities that they would not otherwise get.

Spring/Stamping-Kindergarten

I am starting a lot of sentences with "I saw this thing on Pinterest" lately.  Well, in this case, I remembered I saw it, and I'm pretty sure it was on Pinterest, but I did not pin it (I was sure I had).  The center of the flower is stamped with a cheapo net bath "Pouf" which can be found at Wal-Mart 2/$1.00.  Then, we used Tempera Cakes to paint the rest of the details- the flower/stem, etc.  I had plates set up with some yellow and some orange, that naturally mixed when the kids stamped.  I am trying out the Tempera Cakes this year- other art teachers rave.  I am not so sure- they seem like watercolors.  Any thoughts on helping the kids achieve brighter colors?  That aside- I think these are pretty springy, and a nice attempt by my kids at a project that none of us had ever tried before.  Some may even make their way into the art show.

Acrylic Paintings- Next Phase

Nearing completion, here are the 4th grade acrylic paintings again.  We used hot colors (most of us) for the next layer, and added details with black and white.  I think they will be a nice pop of color for the art show.

Monets in Training

Years ago, I wrote a grant, and got table easels and canvases for the kiddos.  We went outside and painted, and it was a lot of fun.  Since then, I've made the canvas painting an annual tradition for 4th graders.  They puzzle over the easels as they move from Kindergarten up to 4th grade, waiting for their time to use them.  The project varies from year to year, but the canvas/easel painting has become a rite of passage for my 4th graders.  This year, we looked at the work of Monet, and discussed how he layered his colors, and how he did not draw first.  We started our canvases by using cool colors and white, to fill in a background with brushstrokes, mixed colors, and floral shapes.  The next step will be to use warm colors to add in butterflies and dragonflies- but shhhh- don't tell the kiddos- they don't know yet.  And, hopefully, if we hold it all together and keep up the good work we've started, we'll use black paint to add some structure lines.