Vikings Pen and Ink
Fifth graders learned about Vikings in their social studies class. They learned that Viking were not just the fierce warriors that people always assume they to be. Many Vikings were also very experienced farmers, fishermen, ironworkers, traders, and writers. But, for fun we decided to draw Vikings the way that they have been portrayed in the myths and legends! Students learned about pen and ink techniques, like hatching, cross-hatching, and stippling and they applied these techniques to their drawings.
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 5.1, 10.1

Mayan Mask ~ Complimentary Colors
Students in fifth grade learn about the Mayans in their Social Studies class, so in Art class we decided to create some masks of our own. Using geometric shapes students created an abstract sort of mask. Then using only one set of complimentary colors students painted their mask, then outlined all the shapes with black paint. When they mask we complete they were able to but them out and tie them with a string!
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 3.2, 3.3, 5.1, 7.1, 10.1

Geometric Scratch Board
5th grade students discussed the difference between an organic and a geometric shape. They created an abstract design in scratch-board by using a variety of lines and shapes. They used rulers or shapes tracers to create positive and negative shapes within their design. After their design was drawn they filled in the spaces with patterns and textures.
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 3.2

Statue of "Me"
Students discussed the importance of the Statue of Liberty and what she stands for in this country. They then created their own statues and included items that are important to them. Some students drew a self portrait, while others personified their objects. The artwork was done using pencils, markers, crayons and watercolor paint. 
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.6, 3.3, 6.1, 7.1

Pen and Ink Shoe or Sneaker
Using pen and ink techniques students used their observational drawing skills to capture all of the small details of their shoe or sneaker.  They experimented with hatching, cross hatching and stippling to creating values and implied texture.
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 5.1, 5.2

Facial Expressions
Students created several "self portraits" each with a different facial expression. They used mirrors to look for subtle changes in their facial features as they modeled different expressions and feelings.
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.4, 2.6, 3.3, 5.1

Name Fish
Students hid their name within the body of a fish and filled in the negative spaces with complex colors and patterns. They were also encouraged to try some blending and shading on the fins and body of the fish.
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.3, 5.1

Babushkas
Students learned the history behind Russian Nesting Dolls, also known as Babushkas, and they got to view some examples of real ones.  The created a drawing with hidden doors that revealed smaller dolls nestled within.  They tried to make their Babushka has mirror symmetry and they filled up the dolls clothing with interesting patterns.
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.3, 5.1, 7.1, 8.3, 10.1

Yarn Weaving
This is our culminating Elementary School weaving project. For this lesson students learned about the historic Lowell, MA textile mills and their process of weaving. They created their own cardboard loom and weaved a small “blanket” out of yarn. They also attempted to create an interesting pattern in their “blanket”.
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.5, 3.3, 5.1, 5.2, 7.1, 8.3, 10.1

Op Art Name Design
Students reviewed the term "Op Art" that they learned when they were younger and they created a picture that can play tricks with your eyes. They wrote their name in cursive and then traced around and around their name as many times as it took to fill up the negative space on the paper. From far away it may look like a normal picture, but when you get up all close all the lines begin to "move" and play tricks on your eyes.
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.4, 3.2, 5.1

Clay Maracas
In this exciting clay lesson students created their own animal maracas. They first forms two pinch pots of approximately the same size. The, before joining those pinch pots togther to form a ball they filled the inside with small balls of clay wrapped in newspaper. After they joined the two pinch pots together they poked a hole in the pinch pot to allow air to escape during the firing process. After the clay was dry the students were able to glaze their maracas to add details.
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.3, 6.2, 7.1, 8.3

Self Portraits
Students in all grades at Hemenway School create Self Portraits in Mrs. Brown's art class.  Self Portraits are a great drawing project because it can teach students to draw beyond just what they think they see... but to draw what is really there.  All students were given a mirror to observe their facial features and look for small details.  As children grow older they progress through the 5 stages of artistic development (named by Viktor Lowenfeld).  Kindergarteners are usually somewhere between the "Scribble Stage" and the "Pre-schematic Stage".  As the students grow older they work their way through the artistic stages of "Schematic", "Dawning-Realism" and "Pseudo Realistic."  Though it can sometimes be tempting, it is very important not to rush young children through the early stages of artistic development.  Students in Grade K, 1 and 2 are full of creativity, and it is important to let students take their time so they can nurture their creative development. There is plenty of time in grades 3 and above to begin teaching them about the more technical aspects of drawing.
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.2

Picasso Portraits
Students explored the artwork of Pablo Picasso by reading a short story about him and looking at some of his paintings. They compared and contrasted his different styles of painting, naming characteristics of each style. In the end we focused on cubism and each student created a portrait in the style of Pablo Picasso. They used pencils and Sharpie markers to create their drawing, and Tempura paint to add color. The final paintings are very intriguing!
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.6, 3.2, 3.3, 5.1, 7.1

Pointillism Landscape
Students have experiment with pointillism since the first grade, but now it is time to try something a little more challenging.  They will create a simple landscape drawing using pencil, very lightly, and then fill in their picture using the pointillism techniquqe. 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!
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.2, 5.1, 5.2

Through a Window
To teach students to look at images in a way they were instructed to create an image with several depths of space.  They created an interior and an exterior within one image by drawing as if they were looking through a window. 
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.3, 5.1

1-Point Perspective Initials
To begin the unit on one-pint perspective students learned the basics about vanishing points. They practiced what they learned by drawing their initials and making the letters disappear off into the vanishing point in the center.
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.4, 2.6, 3.2, 5.1

1-point Perspective City
To continue their lesson on one-point perspective student learned about the horizon line which can be used along with the vanishing point to create a more accurate image depicting space.  After the introduction students were insructed to create a series of rectangles. Then they created a horizon line behind the rectangles. Then they chose their vanishing point somewhere along that line. Using rulers they completed their drawings and even added small details to make it more realistic.
MACF: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.4, 2.6, 3.2, 3.3, 5.1