Primary Color and Line Review

End of year review on a two concepts we learned at the beginning of the year: various kinds of lines used in art and primary colors. We also reviewed painting skills and techniques. Students were assessed on primary color knowledge before the painting lesson for the second time this year as well.

Patterned Giraffes

Abstract Kandinsky Paintings

Seurat Sunflowers

Forgot to post this lesson from last spring- found the photos as I was deleting old images from my camera. 1st graders learned about painter Georges Seurat through a short cartoon. I happen to travel to the Chicago Art Institute while doing this lesson so I was able to photograph some of his paintings while there to show my classes as well. They learned how to paint in the pointillism style. To achieve this, I had them use cotton swabs and the back ends of various size paint brushes. It took awhile, but was a nice end of the year lesson.

Geometric Cats

In Art class, first graders studied shapes and learned the difference between geometric and free-form shapes. Geometric shapes are math shapes, such as circles, triangles, rectangles or squares. Free-form shapes are shapes that are uneven and not regular and often made up by the artist, like the shape of a leaf or cloud. Students each created a cat using only geometric shapes. This project was also great for first graders to work on their basic art skills of using scissors safely, cutting, and gluing! Way to go first grade artists!

Learning Targets:

I can hold my scissors correctly and safely.

I can cut in a straight line with no jagged edges.

I can use the correct amount of glue.

I can make sure all pieces of paper are glued down flat.

Collaborative Beginning of the Year Keith Haring Paintings

First and second graders looked at Keith Haring's website under the kids section to learn facts about his life and work as an artist. The first graders traced each other's bodies and worked in small groups of 4 or 5 to paint in the figure. The second graders were responsible for outlining the figures in black and adding the painted black lines and shapes in the backgrounds. This was a great one day lesson for the first week back in art:)

**Thanks to Leah at What's Happening in the Art Room for the great idea!!**

Mother's Day Roses

This is the second year I've done this clay project with first grade. I love it, clay in a day!! It's a great introductory lesson to clay that is hands on but requires minimal steps and attaching techniques. It's really a no fail project. I saw it floating around Pinterest on several different art blogs. It is an amazing gift for the little ones to take home to mom (or grandma, or auntie....whoever). I love how proud they are of it too. We usually do a little writing to go a long with it. This year I did top ten reasons why my mom is the best. Writing is hard with first grade, especially when you have no clue how to teach it!! Kudos to the classroom teachers:)

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More

First graders read the story, I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More!  The little boy in the book LOVED to paint, except he painted everywhere but the paper!

First graders drew self portraits and then outlined in Sharpie. Next they painted in with water colors. They could be as crazy as they wanted in their color choices to paint themselves in, just like the little boy in the story. We then added purple handprints. (They thought it was so cool to get their hands painted purple:)

Paper Mache Ice Cream Sundaes

Family Portraits

First graders discussed that February is Black History Month and watched a short video by Kid President about Martin Luther King, Jr.

We then learned about the African American artist and author Faith Ringgold. After reading Tar Beach, ( which is written and illustrated by Ringgold),  students discussed the sorts of activities that they did at their family table. Students said they eat dinner, play games, and do their homework at the table. Students then used a circle tracer to draw their table and people tracers to add their family. Details were added to show the table activity and to create individual family members. 

They outlined their drawings with Sharpie pen, colored in with colored pencil, and then created quilt squares with oil pastels.

They did a great job working on their drawing, tracing, and coloring skills.