Winter Art at Webb

I suppose the title of this post could say "confessions of a Pinterest addict". Shout out, props, many thanks to the creative people on Pinterest for giving me more than enough ideas for winter projects at Webb Elementary! I have to admit that I do tweak and modify many of the lessons I find, but still have to give thanks where thanks are due... even if I don't know exactly who to thank!

Click here to visit my Pinterest page!

I also have been trying to boost my sales on Artsonia. If you haven't ever seen that site... do so... immediately! It is an "online museum" where student art can be uploaded (once parent permission is given) and then parents can get their little artists' hard work printed on ornaments, t-shirts, coffee mugs, mouse pads, etc etc.

BEST PART!!!! 20% of the proceeds from these sales will benefit the Webb Art Department! YAY to more art supplies!!

Click here to visit my Artsonia Gallery!

Anywayyy.... back to the kiddos' art. Four grades have finished their winter projects, three are still in the middle. I will post the rest when they are finished!

Kindergarten practiced brush and scissor dexterity by creating winter mittens! We focused on creating different kinds of lines. This was also a great opportunity to discuss skin color (for the arms) and how everyones is different... and thats ok! 

First Graders made the most adorable bundled up penguins. This was actually a really fast lesson... which was great! Focus on using shapes to create objects.

The little girl who made the penguin above was so proud of herself! She came right up to me with her art and said "Look Ms. Ripa, I know how to make my penguin look like he is looking to this side!" Love that my job gives opportunities for the quiet and shy kids to thrive and excel! 

Third and Fourth graders both did lessons based off of point of view and perspective. We discussed birds eye view vs. worms eye view and then applied our knowledge to our art. Students were actually upset that it was called "worms eye view" because worms dont have eyes! So they started calling it bugs eye view... whatever floats your boat kids. 

3rd graders made self portraits of themselves catching snowflakes. Mostly paper, but with added yarn and fabric for hair and scarves.

 Love the braid

4th grade created worms eye view snowmen. Students were in charge of choosing and creating their own patterned scarf.

Stay tuned for more winter art! 2nd, 5th, and 6th grade art is on its way!

Kindergarten Boogie Woogie

Kindergarten studied "Broadway Boogie Woogie" by Piet Mondrian. We first discussed the basics: line, shape, and color. We then tried to "de-code" what the artist was trying to show the viewer.

Some of the best answers:

"Is this supposed to be a weird kind of Minecraft?"

"Is that where Pac Man lives?"

"I have no idea Ms. Ripa, this guy must have been really bored and had only a few crayons"

Then I showed them this fantastic YouTube video.

I could literally see the lightbulbs in their heads turn on... Which was exactly what I wanted to happen! Gotta love when lessons turn out PERFECT (especially when your being formally observed like I was)

We then discussed New York City and how this was a "map" seen from birds eye view. Lines were roads and squares were cars or buildings. We then watched this animated short film. Three weeks later they still ask to watch it!

I precut a lot of strips of primary colored paper, but students were allowed to alter them if they wanted to (make them shorter, narrower, etc).

First we made the roads... (they had the option for a black or white background)

Then we used the leftover strips to make cars, roads, and some even figured out how to make bridges. My kinders are so stinkin' smart.

This project is always a big hit!

Mondrian Animals

Second Graders studied the artist Piet Mondrian. They discovered that he created very simple art using basic lines, shapes, and colors. He limited his color palette to the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and black and white. Students then created their own Mondrian inspired design in animal form!

Students were allowed to choose and design their own animal. We stuck to a cartoon style to allow enough space on the inside of the animal for lines and colors.

First they drew with pencil...

Then outlined in sharpie and erased extra pencil marks...

Then added color!

Witch and Wizard Feet

Third Grade students worked on color theory with a focus on complementary colors. We learned how to use the color wheel to determine a color's opposite. The third graders decided complementary colors were "frenemies" because they work well next to each other, but when they're mixed they look gross. I cant even disagree!

We then watched the Munchkin scene from The Wizard of Oz and played "I spy a complementary color". We then used inspiration from the color wheel as well as the costume design in the movie to make these great collages!

First students chose two sets of complimentary colors: one for the floor and wall and the other for the stripes on the socks (I also allowed polka dots socks)

To make identical shoes, students folded a piece of black paper in half, drew the design, and cut the paper while it was still folded. Small trick but saved soooooooo much time.

I demonstrated a few different ways to arrange the feet as well as clothing design. Kids definitely took this and got creative!

Once the main design was done, students could add details like mouse holes, spiders, spiderwebs, etc. I also let them choose one set of google eyes.

Some students wanted lace on their designs. I hot glued it on their projects to make sure it stayed in place.

Love this project, takes longer then you would assume but its worth it! They are super cute!

Click here for the lesson plan!

Shape Monsters

 

Kindergarten read Jeremy Draws a Monster, a story about a little boy who has a magic pen that can make things come to life. Jeremy draws a monster who turns out to be very rude and demanding. He keeps making Jeremy draw him things he wants until Jeremy comes up with a plan to get rid of the monster.

We then discussed what we might find on a monster and what shapes would be good to use. For example: spikes or sharp teeth are great for triangles! We also discussed what an organic shape was. Kindergarten dubbed organic shapes "the blobby shapes", which makes sense to me! Using string, students created an organic shape body for their monster.

Using a number dice, as well as a special dice I made myself, students rolled the dice to determine what their monster looked like. The dice I made had body parts on it: eyes, hair, hands and feet, mouth, teeth, and nose. Students would draw whatever the dice told them to! If that meant 6 eyes, 3 noses, 1 hair, 4 hands and feet, 2 mouths and 4 teeth... so be it! Heres how they came out!

Click here for the lesson plan!

Abstract Jack

4th graders studied the pumpkin sculptor Ray Villafane, a prior elementary school teacher gone full time artist. He is a professional pumpkin carver who uses sculpting tools and techniques rather than the traditional jack-o-lantern style cutting. We watched Ray at work on an episode of Halloween Wars, while we tried our hand at pumpkin carving, Villafane style! We soon found out its not as easy as it looks! It was quite an arm workout!

While students took turns carving the pumpkin, they also worked on chalk pastel drawings of abstracted jack-o-lanterns. They used cropping to abstract the shape of the pumpkin. They also used implied texture to create glowing eyes and a rough looking skin.

Click here for the lesson plan!

Festival of Trees

Celebrate the holiday season at the 40th Annual Festival of Trees & Traditions hosted by the Wadsworth Atheneum! Festival is one of the atheneums largest fundraisers, attracting over 11,000 visitors from throughout the state and beyond. This nine-day event features holiday trees and wreaths decorated by Hartford area artists and organizations displayed throughout our galleries. All items are for sale and proceeds fund special exhibitions, educational programs and operating expenses. Enjoy daily musical entertainment, family-friendly activities and more!

Festival Dates:

December 5, 5 – 8 pm (First Thursday)

December 6 – 15, 10 am – 5 pm

Closed Monday & Tuesday, December 9 & 10

This year, Webb Students will be donating a Dr. Seuss themed tree! While parents were at conferences, students signed up to create Dr. Seuss themed ornaments in the art room.  With the fabulous efforts of the PTO and 6th grade helpers, this gorgeous tree came to life! Come support the arts this December!

Matisse Inspired Fall Collages

5th graders studied the work of Henri Matisse, most specifically his collages. We discussed and practiced geometric vs. organic shapes. Students then created their own fall themed collages and used color contrast to emphasize the organic shapes on the geometric background.

Click here for the lesson plan!