kindergarten patterns/textured trees

This project was done almost at the end of our second quarter. Oh how they have improved since the beginning of the year! We viewed many photos of different kinds of trees and discussed the texture and patterns. 

We drew a horizon line and then I instructed them on how to draw trees and branches. We drew in pencil first and then they traced over the trees with a permanent marker. 

Next they drew with a permanent marker patterns on the trees. They used construction paper crayons to color in the patterns. I had to remind them to only color the patterns. They would be painting the trees, sky and ground with watercolors. 

This took them about four, fifty minute class periods to complete. 

They really enjoyed the lesson. 

Full body self portrait 1st grade

Full Body Self Portraits  in First Grade 

Students viewed various examples of full body portraits. We spent a lot of time looking at Thomas Gainsborough's portraits, especially his painting of  The Blue Boy. I explain that Gainsborough loved to do landscapes but painted portraits for money. X-rays of the painting also showed that he had painted a dog on the portrait but painted over it. Kids are also over whelmed when I tell them how much a painting sold for at an auction. This one sold for about 9.3 million (today's worth) in 1921. 

I also showed them various costumes from different time periods. Students could draw themselves as anything  they wanted. They could be a superhero, a knight, a princess...anything!

I had the students stand up and we talked about how our head was an oval, how wide our neck was, what shape our trunk, arms, legs etc. were and how long our arms were in proportion to our bodies. 

I gave direct instruction on how to draw a body. They then could use a mirror to draw their faces. 

 Students then set to work on adding their clothes and backgrounds. We used crayons to color.

Lastly we painted watercolors over the whole thing.  

When it was dry we framed them with construction paper. The children could then write about their projects in their classroom. 

Self Portraits 1st grade

Self Portraits in 1st Grade

This is the project I used for my Square 1 Art fundraiser. 

1st graders viewed Van Gogh's many self portraits. They loved learning about the many careers he explored before becoming an artist. I read the book Van Gogh (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia to the children. We discussed how his portraits took up most of the space and how he painted his backgrounds. 

I gave the students an oval pattern for their head. I have found in the past if I have them draw their own oval they tend to be too small for the paper provided by Square 1 Art. They have to be good so the parents will buy a product right? 

We then discuss where to put the eyes, nose, mouth, ears and shoulders. I always have to remind the children to loosen up so they can sketch. We always say Draw light till you get it right! 

They trace everything with a black sharpie and color with color sticks. These are colored pencils without the wood casing. The colors are very vivid and bold. I love these. 

I provide mirrors for the children to use. They are two way mirrors and plastic so they are perfect for this age. The students are so excited to use these! 

leaf prints kindergarten

Kindergarten Leaf Prints

I have kindergartners for 50 minutes. As many as you know it takes them a while to get their supplies out and clean up so that gives us plenty of time to do  art .

In their classroom they are talking about Fall and the changing leaves. We discussed why leaves change colors  in the fall and what veins are.  I shared some Fall books with various types of leaves in them. I like the book Autumn Leaves by Ken Robbins. The photos are very vivid and the text is easy to read. Some classes had time to collect leaves when they went to the playground. I had some available if the teachers didn't have time. Use fresh leaves.

I find it best to have the tables covered in newspapers before they come to class. Students then paint the leaves using tempera cakes.  Remind them  to paint the "bumpy" side and  to use paint on the thicker side. Press the leaves down-don't rub.

This project was all about the process, although many turned out nice. This took about two 50 minute class periods. We did have time at the end of the classes to do a brain break. I use GoNoodle.com. It is free for teachers and the students love the quick exercises. Most are only 3  minutes long.