jasper johns numbers kindergarten art lesson

Jasper Johns Number art in Kindergarten

I always like to connect the general education curriculum into the art room when ever I can. 

Jasper John's number paintings are perfect for kindergarten students whom are learning to write and count numbers. 

The first thing students did was to fold their paper into eight sections. In each block they were to write a big number(1-8) with a pencil and then trace over it with a black oil pastel. 

Make sure students write their numbers correctly (no reversals). In each box students drew with oil pastels various patterns. 

The last step was to paint watercolors over the whole thing. 

Burton Morris Valentine Collages 1st grade

1st grade Burton Morris Valentine Collage

I started the lesson by introducing pop art and showing the students several examples. We discussed Andy Warhol's art and then Burton Morris' art and compared the two. Since it is the week of Valentine's Day I thought we could take inspiration from his Valentine art and create a collage.
The students received a  9" x 12" black piece of construction paper for their background. They then chose any colored 9: x 12" piece of construction paper. This was where they cut the edges in a wavy pattern or jagged edge. I referred to this piece as their rug.

The next step is where we reviewed how to make a heart. Each student received a 9" x 6" red piece of construction paper . I instructed them to fold their paper like they were making a card and then demonstrated how to make half a heart, stressing to them to draw on the fold! I did not let any of them cut their heart out until I checked all their papers. 

Students glued their hearts onto their rugs and then were given freedom to create more hearts out of smaller cuts of paper. White squares were provided so students could cut highlights for their hearts.

 The last step was to trace everything with a black permanent marker. We referred back to Burton Morris's hearts for inspiration. 

My idea for this lesson came from the kidsartists.blogspot. 

Paper masks kindergarten

This is a great lesson to introduce around the Mardi Gras season. I purchased these paper masks from an art supply store.  They are around $5 for a pack of 50! I have a collection of masks from my travels so this is one of my favorite things to teach. 

We discussed the term "symmetry" and pointed out where we saw this in my masks. I also showed them several examples of symmetry in butterflies and moths. Boy, were students excited to get started!

Students colored their masks with colored markers. If they wanted they could add glitter and feathers. 

I had trays with paper so the students could independently put their glue on their masks and sprinkle the glitter on. Each color of glitter had it's own tray. Students were only allowed to  chose one color of glitter. Its kindergarten! 

On the next day, students glued a colored craft stick to the back and or feathers. 

Since teaching this for many years, I only like to purchase the simple masks as purchased above. The more elaborate the masks are, the harder they are to punch out. 

                                               This is my updated version of teaching the lesson. 

kindergarten fish weaving art project

Kindergarten fish weaving art project 

I will have to admit that weaving is one of the things I don't like to teach. My patience is always worn thin after teaching it. I found this project on- line and decided to give it a try. I  actually researched two projects and combined the two. The initial idea is from Krokotak.com. 
On Mrs.Picassoartroom.blogspot, cupid's weave, she had some great ideas on how to teach the weaving process to the kindergartners.

I let the children pick out what color they wanted for their fish. As a class I showed them how to fold their paper in half. I told the children to almost fold the paper in half (not quite). Each student received a pattern to trace onto their paper. I know you aren't suppose to use patterns in art, but with this level and it is such a basic shape, I thought it would be okay. I carefully showed them how to then draw the tail of the fish and then cut it out. Make sure to tell them you are cutting both sides together (don't open it up and cut it).

 I then had the children turn over their paper and write their name on the back and draw a line under their name. This is for when they are ready to cut they will stop at the line. I got this great idea from Mrs.Picasso's art room blog.

After this I had them decorate their fish with construction paper crayons. When they were finished decorating, I had them cut about four strips to the line they had drawn earlier. 

The last step was to weave the paper strips. Remember over under over under! Some students had a difficult time with this, it just takes patience. 

Frida Kahlo still life 1st grade

Frida Kahlo Still Life in 1st grade 

There are so many artists that have had fascinating lives, one being Frida Kahlo's. I started off by telling the story of how Frida Kahlo was in an accident when she was young and how she suffered from pain for the rest of her life. I found a short video about her for children on YouTube called "The Magic of Discovery", Frida Kahlo. It is only 2 1/2 minutes long and talks briefly about the accident and her life. I then proceeded to show the students her self portraits and still lifes. Much discussion took place about her self portraits, birds and monkeys.
I displayed on the board her still life painting titled "Still Life with Parrot" .

I gave direct instruction on how to draw the still life, breaking down each object into a basic shape. Many students needed help drawing the watermelon, but after that they were on their own. 

We discussed foreground, middle ground and back ground and overlapping. 

Students then traced their still life with a black permanent marker. 

On the next class (our classes are 50 minutes), students got to work on painting. We reviewed what a "shade" and "tint" were and how to create the two. Each student was given their own paper plate with both colors and then they got to work on painting. 

This project took to my surprise three class periods. One day to draw and two days to paint.