In 4th grade we've been talking about symmetry and creating radial symmetry with the letters of our names. This video describes the process.
Our square designs will be used for our Square 1 Art fundraiser.
While the students worked they got to play games on the website from the Brooklyn Children's Museum. They have awesome games for understanding pattern and symmetry.
After the tracing was complete we discussed color properties and each student chose a color scheme for their design. When they finished they worked on a color theory worksheet.
Last year I was inspired by our school's interest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics). I got the idea for these robots from another teacher in my county, Laura Toney at MBES. I took the idea and also introduced the students to Bioengineering (use of concepts and methods of biology). Throughout the project we watched videos of robots and robotic arms. One of the most innovative is a robotic arm inspired by the mechanics of an elephant's trunk and a gripper made like a fish tail. Then the students drew their robots using 3D forms and had to have a feature or ability that was inspired by nature. The painting was quite simple, with a solid gray for the metal with a shade of this for one side and a highlight in white for the other side. I used Versatemp Pearl colors by Sax that have a metallic sheen. The colors are also in the pearl paints. The final step was outlining in Sharpie and learning how to draw the metal plates and bolts. It was important to add lines and gears to the places that moved or bent.
I started the year with a wonderful student teacher from UGA, Rachel Blair. She did a gesture drawing Keith Haring style painting project with the 4th and 5th graders. While introducing Keith Haring, Rachel found a video from the 80's of Haring working on a mural with high school students. (It's quite amusing to see a professional artist try to instruct teenagers). We were so inspired by the process that we know we had to make some murals for the school. Rachel drew these with black paint and then all of us painted patterns inside the shapes without the same color shapes touching. It was simple and really fun. We painted quite a few shapes ourselves! They are hanging outside the art and music room, the front entrance, and the cafeteria.
4th and 5th grade students studied the contemporary Georgia artist Kimmy Cantrell, who creates asymmetrical face sculptures with clay and found objects. Many of the faces are based on memories and the titles help tell the story behind them. In preparation for the big renovation over the summer I started collecting scraps and small objects that I didn't want to pack; these recycled objects made great inspiration. Students started the project discussing asymmetry then they created a sketch of an asymmetrical face that was based on a theme or word. Can guess what these themes are? Then we used lots of glue to build the faces that were sketched, making sure to create dimension and visual texture. We used SAX Versa Temp Pearl colors to paint. These paints have a beautiful sheen and cover so well.
Finally a chance to update my blog! I have a student teacher hard at work and I thought I would use this time to post work we did at the end of last school year then I can focus on this year.
At the end of the year 4th graders did these landscape paintings with tints and shades. After looking at real life examples of this natural occurrence students drew layers of a landscape, then mixed value from lighter to darker. You can find more scientific information including how Leonardo DaVinci used atmospheric perspective at http://legacy.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/InvestigatingAerialP.html.
Keeping with my modern art theme 4th and 5th graders learned about the American Pop Artist Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997) and his comic book style of art. We also talked about onomatopoeia (a 4th and 5th grade ELA connection). I originally got this idea from the blog, There's a Dragon in the Art Room. I showed the students examples if Lichtenstein's art and we discussed the ways they look like comics and the scale of his art. Then I showed his art that focused on using words, like the painting Whaam! and we discussed how the words made us feel and other examples of words to use. I also found a clip from the 1960's Batman TV series which show the action words! After writing the block letters students began painting with primary colors. It's amazing the variations with just using the 3 colors and black. Another day we looked at comics with magnifying glasses, discussed Ben day dots and how to make nice dots, then kept painting. Later we outlined the words to really POP off the paper!
Here is a great video from CBS Sunday Morning - It is an interview with his son and is a great introduction to how Lichtenstein grew from being called America's Worst Artist to record auction sales.
4th graders began by learning about fabric and quilting traditions around the world, with an emphasis on the applique art from Benin, Africa. I'm into birds this year and right now owls are on everything from ads to tote bags. Choosing a theme kept students on task and I was able to break the project into steps. We discussed owl legends from Greek mythology to the Native Americans. Each student began by making an owl pattern out of old manila folders. We looked at images of real and crafted owls for inspiration.
While the students drew and cut out patterns I chose fabrics and ironed on “Steam a Seam” to the back. When it was time to cut out fabric I taught the students how to trace their patterns and use the fabric wisely. (Not in the middle!) By using “Steam a Seam” every scrap of fabric could be used to make small eyes, stars, moons; even hats or bows! The fabric pieces were stored in plastic bags between class periods. When the students were finished cutting out their owls they peeled the backing and ironed it to a piece of fabric. They loved using the iron! Their original paper pattern pieces were glued to cardstock and used to make a series of collagraph prints.
