Fall Printmaking

Printmaking has never been my strongest area.  In fact, I kind of hated it!  But I thought I had better get over it and find a way to make it tolerable.   Well, this project turned out to be a joy with my 3rd graders!   We practiced drawing pumpkins, then transferred them to the styrofoam.   I created a printing space directly on the table using yellow and red printer's ink.   Cleaning the table with a washcloth was easier than washing those trays out!  They were fascinated with the process and the effects they could create!

The next art class, we took time to create background using Crayola Oil Pastels and Crayola Slick Sticks.  We spent some time talking about creating "ART" and that art does not have to be totally realistic.   We also talked about making choices and that everything we put on our paper should be "On Purpose", not just randomly drawing without thinking.   

I offered pumpkin leaf stamps, but many opted not to use them.   I was so proud of their results!  Just wish I could get a good picture with my camera!!

 

Jasper Johns

5th graders really loved this Pop Art lesson on Jasper Johns!  The idea came from the book, Make it POP by Joyce Raimondo, we found some 12x18 maps (thanks first grade!) and traced the states.  Students were encouraged to use their own ideas to make their map unique.  In my research,  I  learned that Johns was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor by President Obama.  He is the first studio artist in 34 years to receive the nation's highest civilian honor.

Gotta love the oil spill!

I think our social studies teacher was happy with

them too!

Beautiful Oops!

My librarian laid this book in front of me during in-service.  I knew right away this was my first week's lesson!  Barney Saltzberg gives us a great little picture book that encourages us to make something wonderful out of a mistake.  I can't think of anything more perfect for the first week in art class.  I just can't bear to talk about rules and seating arrangements for a whole week!  I know the kiddos appreciate not being tortured as well.

So I made hundreds of drips, holes, smudges and tears on small pieces of paper and gave each student a mistake of their own to renovate.  They loved the challenge and everyone left feeling good about art.  I found it was important to take a few minutes to share their work.  One may not understand every picture without some explanation.

5th Graders had drips... 

4th Graders had holes in their papers...

 3rd graders were given smudges and oil pastels...

The smudge was the orange boat.

The smudge here was the dark part at the beak and chest..WOW for a 3rd grader!

Elvis with red hair...The smudge was the red hair.

 1st and 2nd Graders had torn shapes...

Her paper was pink so she changed it.

The dog is swiping at the cat..LOVE the proportion!

First Grade

First Grade

First Grade

First Grade Bird Houses

Thanks again Patty!

Really? REALLY??

I'm embarrassed to share this!  But maybe it will help motivate me to take care of it!  Give me a few days...It will be clean and organized by Saturday.  Am I the only one who has a room that looks this bad at the end of the year?