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Primary Color Super Heroes |
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Students
in Mrs. Brown's Art class sang the "Primary Color
Song" to
remind them of the three most powerful colors.
They were reminded that the primary colors can be used to
make any other color.
Students created images of "Primary Color Super
Heroes" using cut paper and glue.
They were encouraged to be creative with their
superheroes and could make either humans or animals.
They added details to their Super Heroes using
markers.
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Grade: 1st grade
Time: one 60 min
class
Materials:
12"x18" white
paper
Red, Yellow, and Blue construction paper
Elmers Glue bottle
Colored markers |
Learning Objectives:
To introduce students to the three primary colors, and
explain why they are so "powerful".
Drawing large shapes.
Using scissors to
"cut on the lines". |
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Paper
Bag Tree Sculpture |
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Students discussed the characteristics of a fall tree and
what shapes the branches make when they are without their leaves.
We then created a 3D tree using a brown paper bag.
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Grade: 1st
grade Time:
1/2 of a 60 min class
Can be done the same day as "Oil pastel and Watercolor
Tree"
painting below.
Materials:
Brown paper lunch bag |
Learning Objectives:
To have students slow down and look at the details of
things that they see in front of them and not just assume
that trees all look the same. Teach them that trees do not
need to look like a stick with the cloud plopped on top. |
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Oil
Pastel & Watercolor Tree |
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Continuing with our discussion about trees, we created oil
pastel and watercolor paintings by drawing the letter
"Y" as the branches of the fall tree to create the
effect of a tree without its leaves. |
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Grade: 1st
grade Time:
1/2 of a 60 min class
Can be done the same day as "Paper Bag Tree Sculpture"
above..
Materials:
12"x18" white paper
Crayola Oil pastels
Tempera cakes, or watercolors |
Learning Objectives:
To have students slow down and look at the details of
things that they see in front of them and not just assume
that trees all look the same. Teach them that trees do not
need to look like a stick with the cloud plopped on top. |
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Model
Magic Color Wheel ~
Little Yellow and Little Blue
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We start by reading "Little Blue and Little Yellow". I give
each student 1 ball of red, 1 yellow, and 1 blue. Then I have
them break each ball into 4 evenly sized balls. So now they have
4 reds, 4 yellows and 4 blues. All together we mix 1 blue and 1
yellow. Then 1 blue and 1 red. Then 1 red and 1 yellow. Then we
mix all three, 1 red, 1 yellow, and 1 blue... this makes a
grayish brown. They still have 1 yellow, 1 red, and 1 blue
leftover. Now we have all 6 colors of the rainbow, plus a
grayish neutral color. I do each part step-by-step... I don't
let kids jump ahead because they sometimes mix the wrong colors.
It is a really fun tactile experience for them because they have
to "squish, squeeze, and smush". The colors slowly mix right
before their eyes! After we make all the colors they have to
put it in the correct placement of the colorwheel. Once they do
that correctly I give them the thumbs-up then they can make
whatever they want with their colors. I let them take their mini
sculptures home. :)
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Grade: 1st
grade Time:
one 60 min class
Materials:
Book- Little Blue and
Little Yellow by Leo Lionni.
A marble sized ball of red, yellow and blue Model Magic
for each child.
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Learning Objectives:
To remind students of the three primary colors and how
they can be used to mix all the other colors on the color
wheel and on the rainbow.
To introduce students to
the color wheel.
To exercise students'
hand muscles. |
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Clay Fossil Fish |
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Students talked about fossils and learned new vocabulary
words including "Paleontologist". They created their
own fossil fish using seashells and clay. After the clay was dried
and fired they painted them using tempera cake paints.
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Grade: 1st
grade Time:
two 60 min classes
*(if using a kiln the sessions need to be two weeks apart to
allow clay to dry and be fired)
Materials:
Clay
Tempera paint or tempera cakes |
Learning Objectives:
To show students the slab method of creating clay
sculptures.To
teach them about the different ways of making marks in clay
(stamping, scratching, addition, subtraction) |
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Pointillism
Butterfly |
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Students
created their first pointillism picture using the subject of
butterflies as their inspiration. They used a butterfly
tracer to map out the shape of the butterfly, then they
filled in the wings and body with patterns and color.
They also need to think about mirror symmetry since the
patterns on a butterfly's wings are always the same. The
challenge to their project is that the entire thing must be
done only using "dots", much like the artist George Seurat. From
a distance the colors come together to form the patterns, lines
and shapes. It is a time consuming project that helps teach
students patience and discipline. When they are complete
the students are always very proud of the work they did! |
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Grade: 1st
grade Time:
two 60 min classes
Materials:
9"x12" white paper
pencils
fine tip colored markers
examples of artwork by Georges Seurat |
Learning Objectives:
To introduce students to the method of Pointillism, and
the artwork of Georges Seurat.
To teach students
about patience and taking their time to complete a detailed
drawing.
To fine tune
students' motorskills. |
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Elmer
the Elephant |
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Students read the book "Elmer the Elephant" about an
elephant who is sad because he is different from the rest of the
elephants. At the end of the story all the elephants proclaim
that they love Elmer just the way he is and they want to
celebrate him by having a parade in his honor and having
everyone dressing up in patchwork colors like him. Student got a
chance to create their own Elmer inspired elephant using tissue
paper and glue. The used collaging techniques to stick the
tissue paper to a large piece of white paper. Then they drew
their own elephant and cut it out. They added a few details like
eyes and ears, and in the end we had our own Elmer's Day Parade!
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Grade: 1st
grade Time:
two 60 min classes
Materials:
Book- Elmer by David McKee
12"x18" white paper
pencils
color markers
scissors
Elmers glue
tissue paper or construction paper |
Learning Objectives:
To give students more practice with scissors.
To give students more
practice using liquid glue, and to teach them proper glue
techniques.
To teach students
that being different is okay. |
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Matthew's Dream |
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Students read the book Matthew's Dream by Leo Lionni. They
then created abstract designs based on the story. This is a
great opening project for early in the year as students are
getting adjusted to their classmates, the artroom, and the art
supplies. |
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Grade: 1st
grade Time:
one-two 60 min class sessions
Materials:
Book- Matthew's Dream by Leo Lionni
white drawing paper
fine point colored markers |
Learning Objectives:
To give students the opportunity to explore abstract Art
and mark making.
To observes students
fine motorskills and offer suggestions and tips for students
who art struggling with their designs.
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Learning to Draw Snowflakes |
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First grade
students learned to draw snowflakes. We talked about rotational symmetry and
how each "branch" of the snowflake should match the other branches. But we
also talked about how no two snowflakes are alike, they should not feel
pressure to make every snowflake "perfect"! They started by drawing them
with pencil first, then they traced their drawings with glue and glitter.
They really sparkle! |
| Grade:
1st grade Time: one
60 min class
Materials:
Black construction paper
pencils
Elmers glue
Silver glitter |
Learning
Objectives:
To introduce children to the concept of "rotational symmetry".
To practice using liquid glue bottles.
(Not too much, not too little, just right) |
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Paper
Weaving with Large Strips |
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Weaving is an important skill and also a challenging one for
children in first grade. For this project we start off
with a simple over under weaving using strips of paper two inches wide.
After the weaving is complete the students cut out shapes to create a more
interesting design when the weaving is put together. |
| Grade:
1st grade Time: one
60 min class
Materials:
Colored 9"x12" construction paper
Colored 9" strips of paper
scissors
Elmers glue |
Learning
Objectives:
To introduce students with the technique of weaving. They only weave 4
strips, but this lesson is an introduction to help prepare them for more
complex weaving when they get older.
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Kandinsky Circles |
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Students looked at the work of Wassily Kandinsky, especially
his concentric circle paintings. They then created their own
circle drawing using oil pastels. It is important to tell kids
to color in slowly and carefully, because light scribbles do not
create the same effect. The finished drawings can be hung
individually, or all together to create a giant Kandinsky mural! |
| Grade:
1st grade Time: one-two
60 min classes
Materials:
9"x12" white drawing paper
pencils
rulers
oil pastels |
Learning
Objectives:
To introduce students to the artwork for Vassily Kandinsky.
To practice fine motorskills of drawing
circles freehand. |
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Faith Ringgold Quilt |
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Students learned about the artist Faith Ringgold. They looked at
images of her famous quilts and discussed the importance of the
imagery in the middle of each one. Students then created
their own paper quilt. To practice their scissor skills they cut
a huge pile of small squares. Then they used those squares to
create a border around the outside of the their artwork. When
they were done with the border they drew an picture in the
middle that was based on a memory, just like Faith Ringgold did
with her quilts. |
| Grade:
1st grade Time: two-three
60 min classes
Materials:
9"x9" white drawing paper
strips of colored paper, or magazines
pencils
Sharpie markers
crayons
Elmers glue
scissors |
Learning
Objectives:
To introduce students to the artwork and life of Faith Ringgold.
To introduce students to the concept
that paintings and artwork can take many different forms (quilts).
To have students choose one memory
for the subject of their "quilt" and to draw that image from their
imagination. |
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Pilgrim
Quilt
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Around Thanksgiving the students create a quilt square with
drawings of the things that they are thankful for. They
use rulers to make a border around the outside, and they use
pencils and markers to create the images. In the end an
entire classroom can display their squares together to form a
large Thanksgiving Quilt. |
| Grade:
1st grade Time: two
60 min classes
Materials:
9"x9"
pencils
rulers
Sharpie markers
colored markers |
Learning
Objectives:
To introduce students to the artwork of Faith Ringgold, famous quilt
artist.To have students draw
from imagination, things that they are thankful for.
To have students work as a class to
create a collaborative project. |
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Stitching Designs |
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Students were introduced to the basics of stitching using
yarn, large needles and burlap. This introductory lesson will
help prepare them for more complex stitching in the upper
grades. |
| Grade:
1st grade Time: two
60 min classes
Materials:
Colored burlap
Variety of yarn
large student needles
scissors
Sharpie markers (to write initials on burlap)
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Learning
Objectives:
To introduce students to the techniques of stitching, such as threading
a needle, "in-out-pull", and not pulling the yarn too tight. These
strategies will help prepare them for more complex lessons in 2nd grade. |
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Fairytale Puppets |
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Students in first grade learn about folk tales and fairy
tales and in Art Class they get a chance to create a puppet and
act out a play using a puppet theater. Each class is
divided into small groups and each group is responsible for
creating all the puppets needed to perform their story. They
create their puppets using mat board, pencils and crayons.
On the last day of the project each group will act out their
story and the rest of the class will watch. We always have so
much fun doing this and it is often a favorite among students! |
| Grade:
1st grade Time: two
60 min classes
Materials:
Heavy cardstock (white)
popsicle sticks
Elmers glue
pencils
Sharpie markers
crayons |
Learning
Objectives:
To create a connection to the first grade curriculum explaining
folktales and fairy tales.To
introduce students to "performance art".
To teach students to work
collaboratively. |
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Every year the first
grade classes study the countries of Japan, Greece, Kenya, and Mexico.
To incorporate some of these countries into the Art Curriculum students will
create a piece of artwork that is inspired by the work of artists in that
country. These pieces of artwork are often displayed in the classrooms
during the "World Fair Day". |
| Grade:
1st grade Time: two
60 min classes each
Materials:
pencils
sharpies
black tempera paint
colored tempera paint
Elmers glue
scissors
yarn |
Learning
Objectives:
To reinforce the first grade curriculum as the students study
Japan, Greece,
Kenya, and Mexico.To
introduce students to a wide variety of art materials.
To create three-dimensional works of
art for a group display. |
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Raggedy Ann and Andy |
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Students had fun making Raggedy Ann and Andy doll collages.
We looked at some photos of the original Raggedy Ann and Andy.
Immediately many students had a connection. The next class
several students brought their real Ann and Andy's to
class. This project gave first graders practice cutting
and glue, while also experimenting with a variety of materials. |
| Grade:
1st grade Time: two
60 min classes
Materials:
pencils
sharpie markers
scissors
red, white, and blue construction paper
red yarn
Elmers glue |
Learning
Objectives:
To introduce students to a wide variety of art materials.
To introduce students to collaging and
mixed media techniques. |
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Glue Pastel
Drawing |
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First grade students did a creative project where they got to
draw with glue! After the glue dried it created little barriers
that divided the sections of the drawing. They filled in their
drawing with color using oil pastels. |
| Grade:
1st grade Time: two
60 min classes
Materials:
9"x12" colored construction paper
Elmers glue
oil pastels |
Learning
Objectives:
To introduce students to a
wide variety of art materials.
To introduce students to abstract art.
To practice using liquid glue
bottles. (Not too much, not too little, just right) |
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Observational Sunflower |
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Students were given vases of sunflowers to look at and draw.
They were introduced to the idea of observational drawing...
rather than drawing what you "think", you draw what
you "see". After their pencils drawings were completed
they added watercolor paint. (The above example was not done by
a first grader. I will add a first grade image after they
complete the lesson this year). |
| Grade:
1st grade Time: one-two
60 min classes
Materials:
12"x18" white drawing paper
pencils
Sharpie markers
watercolor paints or tempera cakes |
Learning
Objectives:
To teach students about observational drawing, and not just drawing what
they "think" they see.To give
students the opportunity to practice their fine motorskills while painting.
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Georgia O'Keefe Flowers |
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Students
examined the life and artwork of American artist Georgia
O'Keeffe. They created paintings of flowers using crayons and
watercolor paint. They were told to think about using bright
colors and large flowers to create compositions similar to the
artwork of O'Keeffe. They also learned the anatomy of a
flower.
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| Grade: 1st
grade Time: one 60
min class
Materials:
12"x18" white drawing paper
pencils
oil pastels
tempera cake paints |
Learning
Objectives:
To introduce students to the artwork of Georgia O'Keeffe.
To teach students about the properties
of oil pastels and water based paints and how the process of resist
paintings work. |
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Pizza Collage |
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Students love this project
where they get to invent their own pizza. It is a great project
with lots of cutting for the kids. They all start by tracing two
large circles for the crust and the sauce. Next, they cut lots
of tiny rectangles of the cheese. After that they let their
imagination run wild and add lots of delicious toppings! |
| Grade:
1st grade Time: one 60
min class
Materials:
scissors
colored construction paper
large circle tracer
Elmers glue |
Learning
Objectives:
To give students more practice with scissors.
To give students more
practice using liquid glue, and to teach them proper glue
techniques.
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Picasso Flowers |
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After reading a short story
about the life of Pablo Picasso, students created simple
paintings inspired by his work. They kept the hands in a basic
outline and added only minimal detail, similar to his painting
titled "Hand with Flowers". |
| Grade:
1st grade Time: one
60 min class
Materials:
pencil
Sharpie marker
watercolor paints |
Learning
Objectives:
To introduce students to the
artwork of
Pablo Picasso.
Practice freehand painting without any
pencil lines |
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Pattern Frog |
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This is a fun project that gives students a chance to get
back to drawing. They create a frog shape and fill the body
with many colors, lines and patterns. When they are done
coloring it in they can cut out the frog! Students are
encouraged to use lots of bright colors and do as many patterns
as they can think of. |
| Grade:
1st grade Time: two
60 min classes
Materials:
9"x12" white paper
pencils
Sharpie markers
colored markers
scissors
frog-shaped tracers |
Learning
Objectives:
To encourage students to try many, many different types of patterns to
fill their frogs with lots of interesting colors and designs.
To reinforce the first grade curriculum
where the students are learning about the life cycle of a frog.
To give students the opportunity to
practice "neat" coloring techniques. (No spaghetti coloring) |
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