End of Year...2012

Wow...that 6 months went by quick....and they say "time flies when you are having fun!"  In Kindergarten Art we had plenty of fun this year and I cannot wait until the Fall!  Here are the last few projects from the end of the year.  Enjoy!!

A project sprung from "I am an Artist" by Eric Carle.  The students learned about painting animals with bright, bold, unrealistic colors.  They learned about the artist Franz Marc out of the Fauvism movement.  We talked about why people called these artists the "wild beasts."  The students then got to practice drawing a horse step by step and then putting their new drawing skill to work on big final paper.  They then used black paint to trace over their pencil outlines to make the drawings pop and added beautiful, unrealistic, "wild beast" colors to finish!

 This next project was inspired by the Kindergartener's field trip to the zoo!  We looked at several pictures of giraffes, leopards and zebras and reflected on the beautiful patterns on their fur coats.  We talked about the different lines and shapes that make up each animals unique patterns.  The students then chose which animal pattern they wanted to draw and color.  After sketching out a "zoomed in" view to fill the page with the shapes and line in pencil, they then used realistic oil pastel colors to finish them.  They are gorgeous!

 One of the last projects completed by some classes was the castle pieces.  We talked about architecture in history.  After studying several pictures of castles, students discussed what they observed about this style of architecture.  They noticed the geometric shapes and many types of line that make up the castles parts and details.  We talked about the strong structure of stone, high walls and big gates and moats.  I then asked why they thought castles were built this way and they were all eager to share.  They knew important people lived inside the castle walls, and they needed to be protected by these big, strong and intimidating structures.  Students then drew their own castles using shapes and lines, added color with oil pastels and tempera cakes to finish!  They are amazing!

Line Treasure Maps

First we read the story "How I Became a Pirate" by David Shannon.  We talked about treasure maps and what kind of places we could choose to make a map.  Beaches, islands, yards, parks, and deserts were all suggested. 

This was a  multiple step process for the students.  First we had to carefully tear the edges our our map paper using our hands as a tool.  We then drew our places on our map and added different types of line to show pathways.  Wavy, straight, zig-zag, dashed and swirly lines were used.  We then got to use our hands as tools again to squeeze and wrinkle the map paper to make them look more old.  After a crayon rubbing and watercolor wash was added these maps were set to dry and they were complete.

Jellyfish

Jellies!! 

This project reviewed line, shape and color for the Kindergarten students.  They also got to learn a little bit about Moon Jellyfish with a connection to science.

We discussed warm and cool colors, shapes, pattern and types of line.  First they drew and cut their bell-like jellyfish bodies and glued them to the ocean colored background.  We discussed they could place them in a row, or randomly, to create an interesting composition (how we want our eyes to travel around the page).  They then added patterns of lines and shapes to their jellyfish bodies and tentacles.  In the background, the students added other sea creatures, seaweeds/seashells to finish their artwork.  

They are beautiful!