Layered Landscapes with Swirly Skies

I'm so happy with the results of this project. My 2nd graders were fascinated learning about Vincent Van Gogh, and had a great time imitating swirly skies by using our multicolor crayons (the kind I made by melting crayons into a muffin tin) for layers of texture rubbings.

When the skies were complete, the kids each tore a couple of 8"x18" construction paper in half horizontally, and used the torn pieces to create 2 layers of a landscape. Then we discussed "near and far", and how things close up look bigger, and far away look smaller (kind of a primary lesson in perspective). They cut scraps of paper to make houses, trees, and more, making big ones for the front layer, medium ones in the middle, and small ones in the distance. We used crayons and markers to add details when the glue was dry. I was impressed at how well the kids got the concept, even adding in some roads and sidewalks, narrowing as they recede. Aren't they terrific?

Fundraiser do-over, & texture rubbings

So a few days ago I told you that 14 pieces of kindergarten art for the Original Works fundraiser had to be re-done because they were rejected as being too lumpy. So during my prep period on Friday I pulled the 14 confused K's (out of their nap time) in for 1/2 hour and thought I had in infallable idea. I gave each child a Sharpie to draw a garden of flowers, some crayons to color them in, and some washable watercolors to paint the white spaces. Easy and simple; so I thought. As you can see by the two pieces I have posted above, some turned out great and others - well - let me know if you can find the garden in the one on the right... Oh well. Done and handed in.

Meanwhile - isn't it great when you have a wonderful sub that you trust? My former student teacher from last spring now has a part-time job in another disrict, but she was able to sub for my sick day on Tuesday. Here's some of the texture rubbing pictures done by my 2nd graders that day. It's a project that can easily be completed in one art class, including a motivating activity. I think the kids did really well with this project; it's obvious the sub was clear with her instructions.

TEXTURE, TEXTURE! Learn All About It!!

Today was a potentially crazy day at school. I knew that after lunch there would be Halloween parties everywhere, costumes put on, and a costume parade in the gym. With the potential crazies, chocolate, and sugar, I decided the morning's lessons had to be simple.

I planned to begin texture with my three 1st grade classes. A lot of you have posted images of leaf rubbings, but I've got to say, I don't have much success doing texture rubbings of leaves. They move around, and if I find it frustrating, I can't imagine how difficult it would be for the kids.

What we did:

Students drew a giant bare tree (on 18 x 24" manilla paper) with a big black crayon. Then we filled the paper with texture rubbings, using rainbow crayons I made in a muffin tin, and cut pieces of textured wallpaper.

The kids thought this was spectacularly amazing, and the morning was a terrific success!