Dali Melting Clocks

Collaborative Chihuly

2nd graders learned all about the ancient art of glass blowing and glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. We looked at examples of all his different sculptures and watched a video on the glass blowing process. It's so interesting that even though it is an ancient art form, over 2000 years old, little has changed about it and how artists create their pieces. Many of the tools that glass blowers use today are the same ones used 2000 years ago.
Students used washable marker, coffee filters, and starch spray to create this beautiful display outside of my classroom.

Circle Weavings

One of my favorite end of the year projects because the kids LOVE it, and it isn't messy with an easy clean up.

Dragon Eyes

Students learned about the elements and principles of design in preparation of middle school art. We covered all elements through a Smart Board lesson. For their art project we focused on color,  line, shape, value (contrast), and emphasis. We first drew the eyes in chalk pencil and then the students used chalk pastel to add color and value. I always feel like pastels are challenging for students to use because they get so messy and the project can turn south quickly if not given proper guidance and instruction. These 5th graders did a great job for one of their last elementary projects!

Aboriginal Hand/ Dot Paintings

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:)

Rene Magritte Man in the Bowler Hat Portraits

4th Graders have been studying Surrealism art in art class. The surrealism art movement looked to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, for example by the irrational juxtaposition of images (putting impossible combinations together). Most of all the Surrealist artists wanted those who are viewing their artwork to THINK!!

4th graders looked closely at the work of Rene Magritte. He painted in a realistic style. While the objects appear to the viewer to be recognizable, the composition of those recognizable objects appears fantastic.

4th Graders recreated Magritte’s self portraits Son of Man and Man in the Bowler Hat.  Students first sketched their portrait, painted it in, and then outlined in black. They then choose an image that had meaning to them in some way as the object placed over their face.

Cherry Trees

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