Pinch Pots

For this project we learned about clay making and how to create pinch pots. We first learned about some strategies to working with clay and how to create pinch pots. Each student received clay and began to create their pinch pots. Then they were instructed to use the additive/subtractive method to personalize their pinch pots and give them characteristics like animals. They were taught how to slip and score to help additives stay on their pots. In mine I created a frog by adding tongue and eyes and then subtractive by digging out the eyes. When we were done we were instructed to carve our initials into the bottom of the pots.

An extension activity could be to create a short story about their pinch pot. The student would use their imagination to create a character out of their pot and to write a short story about their character and share with the class.

Printmaking

To begin the project we used tempera paint and paint rollers. We received a sheet of styrofoam paper and but it in half,  and were instructed to draw 3 things that were important to us on one of the sheets, but backwards. And on the other sheet we drew alternating lines and shapes. We then took a paint roller and rolled paint onto the styrofoam sheet and put that sheet to the construction paper. Then we took another paint roller and pressed into the styrofoam to put the image to the paper. We repeated this one more time with the same color and another time with a different color. Then we took our other styrofoam sheet with the symbols on it and did the same thing, but only once. Then we wrote our names on our sheets.

An extension activity could be to write a short narrative on why the students pick their symbols and what it means to them.

3D Play-Doh Creatures

For this project we learned the difference between 2D and 3D creatures. We also learned about Dr. Seuss and some of the characters he used in his stories. We began by creating our own Dr. Seuss characters out of a sheet of paper. We then learned how to create a 3D image by folding the construction paper. Then we were instructed to have items in our foreground, middle ground and background. We then used play-doh to create a character in the foreground and used pipe cleaner and fluffy balls to help create more images. I used them in my background to create trees. I created a penguin for my middle ground and a play-doh worm for my foreground. Then we also filled out the pre-made short story with the names of our characters and their actions, as well as what we had in each of our 3 levels.

An extension activity could be to go further into learn about 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional drawings or works of art. You could show the students examples of a 2 dimensional drawing and how adding more could create a 3 dimensional drawing.

Wassily Kandinsky

To begin we learned about the artist Wassily Kandinsky. To begin we use the main colors: red, blue and yellow. Then we mix them to create all the colors of the rainbow. Once we have all the colors of the rainbow mixed we used a small sponge to dab all of the colors onto the rainbow and create our own. Then we cut out the rainbow and glued it to another white sheet of the construction paper. Then we use the colors again to create a background for our rainbow. I used the green to create a field of grass and yellow to create a sun. 

An extension activity we could use would be to work further with mixing colors and showing students how we could make lighter and darker shades of each color.

Eric Carle Animals

We began this project by learning about Eric Carle and some of his famous works. To begin the project we are given three different types of red paper or prints. I used one of the papers to create the head and tail. Another was used to create the body and the last type of paper was used to create the legs. All of these were glued to the construction paper. Then, we were told to write a few sentences about our creation on a separate sheet of paper. I created a chameleon and wrote about how he loves to play hide and seek. We then cut out that sheet and glue it to the construction paper as well.

An extension activity could be to split up into groups and to write a short story about their animal/creation and to share their story with the class.

Jasper Jones Fish

In theis project we began by learning about Jasper Jones. We learned about using stamping and smearing techniques to paint. We used objects such as: a carrot, celery, apple and a spoon. Our directions were to smear the face and fins and to stamp the body with the different objects. When we got done we then cut out our fish and glued it to a sheet of construction paper. Then we wrote on the construction paper what objects we used and what objects we could use. Then we stamped our initials into the bottom of our paper.

An extension activity could be to use this to learn about different fish in local lakes and to have the students learn more about the fish and their habitat.

Monet Bridge Painting

To start this activity you begin by drawing an orange bridge in the middle of the page. Then you take your light and dark green crayons and draw vines hanging from the top of the page and lilypads at the bottom of the page. Next, take your white crayon and try to create some movement throughout the page with lines and clouds. Then take your reds, yellows and pinks to fill in other parts of the drawing. When done with the crayons we use blue and purple water paint to bring out the warm colors we used and to show the movement in the painting. I went from darkest to lightest when using the water paints.

An extension activity we could do would be to have the students use their imagination and write a short story about their bridge and what is happening around it and share it with the class.

Van Gogh Flower Painting

To begin this project you will need a piece of construction paper and a pencil. You begin by drawing your vase, some circles for the flowers, and the stems of your sunflowers. Next, you draw petals all over the flower. Then you begin coloring the stems and vase. Then paint the flower petals yellow. And once you're done with that, fill in the flower with a checker board pattern and glue sunflower seeds around the flower.

An extension activity could be having the students go on a field trip to a farm where they grow sunflowers and the students could learn more about who to grow them.

Hidden Safari

For my Hidden Safari project I chose to hide a monkey riding a rhino. To start the project you take the image and turn it upside down and draw the image that way. Be careful not to press too hard with the blue crayon. Once done with the the drawing, begin filling the paper in shapes and patterns using warm colored crayons. This is to hide the drawing. Then you will make special red glasses that allow you to see the blue pattern underneath. Others will have clues that help them to know what they're supposed to see.

An extension activity could be to help students learn more about animals and their habitats. I would give each student a different animal and ask them to write 5-10 facts about their animal and the habitat they live in.

Van Gogh Landscape Collage

This is my collage project. For this project you need: construction paper, color tissue paper, glue, white crayon, and oil pastels. To start the project you will cut different shapes out of the color tissue and glue it onto the black paper. When there is enough tissue paper covering the construction paper, begin covering the construction paper with tempera. Once the paper is dry, use the white crayon and white oil pastels to create movement in the artwork with lines. Then use another sheet of black construction paper to create a city outline.

An extension activity that could be used would be to ask a student to try and recreate a place that is very special to them. An example would be if I would recreate Target Field (Minnesota Twins stadium) and created a starry night over it. Then you could have the students explain why their project is special to them and allow the students to be creative.

Elements and Principles

Line

Color

Space

Texture

Value

My Intro Footprint

This activity of my footprint was used to introduce myself to the class at the beginning of the year. The footprint was used to show different items and things that I found interesting and other things that I like, glue, or place, on the paper and present to the class. My footprint included a lot of items involving sports, NSU or foods that I like. I had a lot of baseballs around because I play baseball at Northern State, which is also why I have the baseballs in between the NSU. I had the Jimmy John's and Pepsi because those are my favorite items to have for lunch in a day. Chad Greenway was on there because I am a vikings fan and, also, because Chad is from South Dakota and I idolize him. The other sports stickers are on there because sports are a huge aspect of my life and I love them.

An extension activity you could use is to have the students create their footprint but don't include their name on the footprint. Then, you could present the footprints and have the class try and guess whose footprint it is.