2015-2016 Artwork
"radial Symmetry Designs"
Students in 5th grade created a design on a small square piece of paper, then outlined their design with a sharpie. They students learned how to trace their design on the each of the 4 sections of their large piece of paper. We had a discussion about radial symmetry and they learned that their design needs to be arranged around a center point and radiate out. The last step was to add color with color pencil.
"Folk ArT Landscape"
After watching a video on the contemporary artist Heather Galler and her work, students drew their own Folk Art landscapes with barns, trees, fields, and patterns. For the last step, the students painted in their fields and sky.
"Abstract Design"
Students drew several lines on their paper to make different sections in their "Abstract Design." In each area of their design, the students used gold and silver sharpies to create intricate patterns. We also talked and looked at some Zentangle patterns.
"Winter Snowmen"
5th graders used chalk pastels to make a winter snowman or scene.
"Clay Slab sculptures"
5th graders were introduced to the "slab method" in clay. The students created a "Slab Snowman Face." Once the clay was fired (bisque firing), the students got to paint their sculpture with glaze and it was fired a second time in the kiln. They did a great job, but it was a long waiting process! Many students made more than 1 thing out of clay. Clay is everyones favorite in art!
"Half Portraits"
Students created a self portrait of just half of their face. The students folded their papers in half the long way to find middle of their paper. They created their name on the left side of the line and their half portrait on the right. We also folded the paper in half down from the top and then in half once more. This created 8 squares. This was done so students would know which lines to place their facial features on and to try to create their face in proportion.
"Perspective Aquariums"
Students in 5th grade learned about one-point perspective by making a "Perspective Aquarium." Some students chose to make a zoo, school hallway, or even a museum instead of an aquarium. They did a great job!
"Russian Architecture"
5th grade learned about Russian Architecture after watching a 5 minute video. They learned that the rounded rooftops are called "onion domes." They drew skinny rectangles, squares, triangles and rounded "onion domes" to make their buildings with oil pastels. They colored their buildings, added windows, doors and details to their buildings and background. I was impressed by the colors!
"Radial Relief Paper Sculptures"
5th grade just completed these awesome "Radial Designs" with paper. They learned 3 paper folds and then folded their background black paper to make 8 triangles. These triangles (creases) in the paper created a center point and guidelines for the students to begin the creation of their design. We talked about alternating colors and paper folds to keep their design symmetrical as it radiated around and out. The children also created their own folds and were allowed to cut the 3" by 3" squares they were using. I was so impressed with the final results and the creativity of the students!
"Initial Designs"
The students in 5th grade drew their initials with a pencil really big on white paper. Then they drew all about themselves and the things they like, the places they go with their family, the sports they play, etc. They could draw pictures around their letters, inside their letters, or even make a letter become something else (like a tree or a paintbrush). The students colored their picture with crayons and markers. They could also write words that described them or the things they love! I told them I only know them in the art room and I wanted to know more about what they are good at or what they enjoy doing in their free time! Once they were finished, I did learn a lot more about each student!
"Printmaking"
The students in 5th grade looked at "The Painted Ladies" in San Francisco and drew a picture of a house with the same details of porches, bay windows, trim, etc. The next step was to transfer their picture onto a styrofoam plate with a pencil and then dig down into the surface of the styrofoam with their sharp pencil over all their lines. Next the children rolled ink across their styrofoam plate and then paper. They rolled a brayer over their plate and paper and created a print of their house!
"Pop Art"
We discussed Pop Art and artists! Then the 5th grade students chose one everyday food item and made a sketch on a small square piece of paper. They transferred their drawing to a larger square piece of paper 4 times. They used bright colors and colored each one of their 4 sections with different colors.
2016 ARTwork
"Hopes & Dreams Self-Portraits"
The students wrote out their "Hopes and Dreams" for art and then created a self-portrait. They had some interesting "Hopes and Dreams" for art this year!
"Blue Dog"
Students in 5th grade watched a short video on George Rodrigue and his famous "Blue Dog." Students chose to paint or use colored pencil to create their own dog with an interesting background. "Blue Dog" did not have to be blue, but most children chose the color blue. They did a great job on this lesson!