Showing posts with label third grade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label third grade. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Very Busy Fall!

Its been an extremely busy fall here at Webb! This will be a long post to update you on the last round of grade level projects! Here we go!

First up is kindergarten! We first practiced out concentric circles by creating spider webs! We are learning the art routine of: pencil, sharpie, erase. We then practiced our shapes, using squares of furry fabric for the bodies, circle paper for the eyes, and bent triangle pipe cleaners for the legs!




Next up is first grade!

We first started our unit of secondary color mixing by using warm colors and sponges to create these bat resist paintings! Students attached bat stencils and dabbed on various colors around the border of the stencil. When the stencil was removed it left the image of the bat!



We then put our true artist brain to use by using the three primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) to mix our own secondary colors (orange, purple, and green)! We learned that purple is a very hard color to mix! We had to do some experimenting to create the perfect purple. Our best creation was part red, part light blue, and part pink!


Students used their hand mixed paint to create hand made papers that would later be used in a collage!


Once the papers were dry the students used basic shapes to create goofy pumpkins! Circles, half circles, ovals, triangles, and rectangles were favorite shapes!



 Students also learned how to fringe the green paper to create the illusion of grass! We also had to make sure to be careful to put our pumpkin BEHIND the grass to create perspective!


Second graders read the Eric Carle classic book, The Very Busy Spider and used the same process as the goofy pumpkins to create handmade papers. We then used more complicated shapes to construct our own spiders! We certainly were very busy!





Third graders studied the African Adinkra Cloth from Kenya. We learned how the Ashanti Tribe created beautiful woven fabric with patterns stamped on them with handmade ink!


We investigated further and learned the patterns on the cloths were actually symbols. Symbols are a picture that has a meaning. For example: :-)


Using warm colored construction paper, students created warp and weft threads to make a woven background and then drew traditional Adinkra Cloth symbols in a pattern!


Fourth grade had a special treat of watching an episode of Halloween Wars season one, to observe the pumpkin sculptor Ray Villafane. We designed our own pumpkin creations as we watched Ray Villafane at work! Before watching, we learned how to abstract an image to create interest to a drawing! 



Once our planning sketches were completed, students used chalk pastels to enlarge their drawings.


We used two types to texture technique: blending (to create the glowing eyes, nose, and mouths) and color layering (to create the rough texture of the skin).


We also got a chance to go outside and do some observational nature drawings. We studied the nature watercolors of Albrect Durer prior to drawing. Once our drawings were completed, we created warm colored leaf prints for a splash of color!




Fifth grade studied the neo-pop artist Romero Britto. Inspired by the original Pop Art movement, Britto creates brightly colored and patterned art of popular items and characters.


Inspired by his style, fifth graders used fall themed items or characters as the focal point of their painting.


They started by drawing the focal point, or most important part of the painting.


They then divided up the background into different spaces.


Patterns were added in different parts of the paintings. Some were left solid colors.


Some students wanted to do a tribute painting to Breast Cancer awareness.


Others chose a Halloween theme, fall foliage or pumpkins, as well as football! Once the drawings were completed, students used a monochromatic color pallet to paint their creations in either purple, green or orange. Once dry, they used sharpie to create nice, crisp outlines.



Hope you've enjoyed this fall update from Webb! Stay tuned for the next round of winter themed projects!



Tuesday, November 12, 2013

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!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Warm and Cool Colored Weavings


Third Graders studied Native American Weavings. We discussed patterns and techniques. We used some basic color theory (warm vs. cool colors) to choose a palette for the paper weavings they would be creating. Using an over, under, over, under pattern, students created either a straight or wavy lined weaving!


First students chose a color scheme and made a loom. This is done by folding a paper in half and cutting slits into the paper. Some students used straight lines, some used wavy.



Students then used appropriate colors to weave a pattern.


In previous years, I have had the students do leaf monoprints using the opposite color scheme on top of their weavings, but this year time did not allow. 

Click here for the lesson plan!