Sub didn't show

Every once in a while, we run into the unfortunate situation where a substitute teacher cancels a job for some reason. When they do this on short notice, we have to split classes or cover for that teacher. In this instance, I had a class and 1/2 come to art. What to do with 30 3rd graders? We have been working on landscapes, so we created these mini beauties to demonstrate Foreground, Middleground and Background. Cray Pas were used for sky and details. 

Landscapes

The second graders looked at the work of Hockney and Woods, and created a drawing using hills as the foreground.  Each hill had to have a different line design or pattern.  They could add whatever details they wanted in the distance on the horizon line.  After tracing all the lines with a sharpie (which was a lotta work), students sprayed their paper with water, and laid tissue paper on top.  The tissue bled onto the picture, leaving a delightful watercolor effect.  I encouraged students to use hot colors on one side, and cool on another, but that wasn't so easy, when the colors began to bleed.  I think they turned out great, and will have to post some more as they get finished.

When in Rome....

We have had an unusual amount of both snow, and snow days here in Nashville.  I decided to roll with it, and have my 3rd graders make simple line drawings of winter landscapes.  They had to use size and placement to show Foreground, Middle Ground and Background.  Then, we carved them into foam trays, and pulled prints.  I chose white ink, with dark paper to not only give a wintry feel to the prints, but to review the idea of Contrast with the class.  I think they turned out great and because we kept it simple, we had time to focus on the printmaking process, so that we got clear, bright prints.

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.