Native American Story Telling

For this activity, students got the chance to tell a story through symbols! We learned that Native Americans used buffalo hide and symbols to tell a story. Therefore, that was the main focus in this lesson. Our first step was to create our background. We were encouraged to use the colors of a sunset (red, orange, & yellow). We first got little sections of our white paper wet with water and then painted over it with watercolors. (wet-on-wet method) We set our background paper aside to dry. While it was drying, we were then instructed to start brainstorming ideas for a story. We had to use at least 6 symbols. Once we figured out a story, we drew the symbols on our “buffalo hide” (a precut paper bag that was soaked in water then dried to give it a crumpled look). After the symbols were drawn on, we glued the paper bag onto our sunset background.

My Native American story: On a bright sunny day, my family and I traveled by road to the river. Here, we caught fish! At nighttime, we made a campfire.

Extension activity: For social studies, students could look at some examples of old time stories and try to decode them by looking at the symbols. Another activity students could do with this is act out their story. I think they would have fun doing that!

Totem Pole Project

Fly

In this lesson, each student got to create a piece of a totem pole! To begin, we got to choose which animal we wanted to create. I chose to pick a fly. We got to color the little image we picked so we could refer back to it when making the bigger image. Our animal had to be symmetrical so we folded our paper in half so each side of it matched up. We were instructed to have at least one part of our animal be 3D. On my animal, I chose the tongue and the wings to be 3D. Since this activity was a group project, all of the people in our group had to decide on what color we wanted for our background. We chose brown. Once all of us in the group put brown paper behind our animal, we got to glue them together to make a totem pole! At the end, each of us had to make a notecard that included the following: our name, what our animal was and what is symbolized, and the types of colors we used.

Extension activities: Students could use this activity for social studies when discussing different tribes and cultures. Instead of using animals they could try making other symbols that represent a culture. The students could also create a poem about their totem pole. 

Cobra Knot Keychain

We started out the lesson learning about different kinds of knots. However, in this lesson we are specifically learning about the cobra knot. First, we got to practice making a cobra knot with yarn. After we practiced for a while, we got to change to our lace. We first attached a metal hook piece to the top of our keychain by tying a knot. We then proceeded to tie our cobra knot made out of 3 different colored strands. We had to make sure our strands weren’t twisted so that it all matched up at the end.

Extension activity: Students could use the same method but instead, make a bracelet or even a necklace. They could do themes too, such as, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Christmas, etc. 

Ideal Vacation Pop-up

Vacation in the Hills

In this lesson, students got to create a 3D vacation spot. We began the lesson by brainstorming different places we want to take a vacation. Next, we had to paint the background for our vacation. To do so, we took our 8.5x11 cardstock paper and folded it in half. We then used watercolors to paint the background. While it was drying, we were instructed to come up with the following objects to add to our scene: at least two 3D objects, two different textures, and one object in each of the fore, middle, and background. After the design was complete, we needed to write a description of our vacation on a notecard. We had to include our name, a title for the vacation, where it took place, who we went with, how we got there, and one thing we got to do there.

My vacation spot was in the Black Hills with my family. We drove there in a car, stayed in a warm, cozy cabin, and got to drive 4-wheeler through the hills.

Extension activities: For language arts, instead of having the students just write a short paragraph, they could write a short story about their vacation to go along with their craft. For math, the students could map out the distance and how long it would take for them to travel by car to get to their vacation spot. 

Ceramic Leaf Bowl

In this lesson, we got to make a ceramic bowl in the shape of a leaf. To do this, we needed clay. To get our clay ready, we had to knead it to get all the air bubbles out. We tossed it back and forth between our hands and also gently threw it down onto the table top. Each of us got to pick out a stencil of a leaf. (there were about 4 or 5 different types of leaves) Our next step was to roll out our clay big enough for our stencil to fit in it. We placed our leaf stencil on top of the clay and used a cutting tool to cut out the shape of the leaf. Next, we placed a sheet of paper towel in a Styrofoam bowl and set the clay leaf in the bowl. To even out the cracks or bumps in the clay, all we had to do was dab our finger in water and gently rub on the clay. Our last step was to paint and add a little detail to our leaf. Our teachers encouraged us to use falls colors. (red, orange, yellow, maroon) We had to let our clay bowl sit for 24 hours.

For my leaf bowl, I used the colors red, yellow, and orange. I also added a few lines to makes little veins in the leaf and a few tiny clay balls to make it look like it had water droplets on it.

Extension activities Students could make a different shapes out their clay and still form it into a bowl. For example, if the students were discussing the United States, they could form their clay into a state and try to put it in the bowl. They could also form the bowl into some kind of ball such as a basketball, football, soccer ball, etc. 

Scratch Art

For this activity, students created a scratch art project. To begin, students were instructed to color their piece of cardstock. They could either do primary colors or secondary colors. We had to make sure our cardstock was fully colored. After the coloring was complete, we painted over top of it with black paint. We needed to make sure that no colors were showing through the black paint. After the painting was done, we set it aside to dry. In the meantime, we were instructed to draw a landscape design on a sheet of white paper the same size as the cardstock paper. We then turned the piece of paper over and colored the back of it with pencil. We did this so we could put our plain sheet of paper over the cardstock and transfer the landscape design onto the black paint. To do so, we had to trace our landscape design again with pencil. This left pencil marks on our black paint. Then, we used our scratcher tool and went over our pencil marks, revealing the colors underneath the black paint. Once the whole design was revealed, we glued our piece of cardstock to a piece of construction paper.

For my project, I created a summer scene. I included grass, flowers, clouds and birds.

Extension activities: Since we created a picture, this activity could be used for any subject you want to create a picture for! If the students are reading a chapter book (older grades), they could draw a scene from one of the chapters for example. Students could also make representation of something in science, such as the water cycle or even a plant. 

Nature Mosaics

Flower mosaic

For this activity, students created a nature mosaic. All the students get divided into groups of 4. Each group has to work together to create a mosaic as a whole. Each group is given a picture that has been cut into 4 pieces. Each member of the group takes one of the pieces and has to try to form that picture. When all members of the group are done, they put their pieces together to make one big picture. My groups picture was a flower. Students also learn about warm and cool colors. For our project, we decided to put the flower in warm colors and the background in cool colors.

Extension activities: For language arts, students could write a poem or short story that goes along with their mosaic. For social studies or geography, students could make a map of the United States and have each member make a section of the country. 

Monster Painting Activity

In this lesson, Kindergarten students learn about primary and secondary colors. To begin, the teacher fills a cookie sheet with shaving cream and adds a fair amount of two different primary colors of paint on top of that. Students swirl the two colors together to form a secondary color, but still being able to see both primary colors as well. After that, students take their 12x16 piece of white paper and place it on top of the shaving cream and gently press downwards. Then, students lift the paper off the shaving cream and scrap off the excess shaving cream with a ruler. 

The next step is to set it aside to dry. After the paper has dried, students cut a monster of their choice out of the design they created on the paper. Students then use other paper such as construction paper to cut out eyes and a mouth for their monster. To finish the monster activity, students are required to give their monster a name and also use 3 adjectives to describe their monster. I named my monster "Eye". 

Extension activity: Students could use this activity in English class! They could write a poem or even a short story about their monster. 

Printmaking

I got the opportunity to teach students about printmaking! First, students learn about the history and 4 main types of printmaking. Then, students learn about Andy Warhol and will see pictures of a few of his works. Students are then instructed to brainstorm different symbols/ideas that they will use on their prints. These symbols should represent what is important to them. A few examples include: a cross, heart, sun, people, fish, pencil, basketball, football, etc.

Students then begin to sketch their symbols onto a Styrofoam plate using a #2 pencil. They need to use enough pressure when sketching onto their plate so that the print shows up. After the sketching is complete, students will paint over their sketch using a roller. Once painted, students flip their plate over and press it onto a 9x11 piece of construction paper. They also use a clean roller to help press down on their print. Once rolled, students lift the plate up and the design they sketched should appear on the piece of construction paper. Students then wash off their Styrofoam plate with water and repeat the painting process using a different color than before. Both prints should be on the same piece of construction paper. After the prints are finished, students are required to describe at least 3 of their symbols on a notecard. The notecard is then glued to the same piece of construction paper.

My printmaking symbols represented the following:

·         Flower = love for summer

·         Pencil = love for teaching

·         People = love for my family

·         Basketball = love for sports

·         Fish = love for fishing

Extension activities: For social studies, students could create a print displaying our state flag. For science, students could create a print showing the different parts of a plant. 

Below is a picture of how all the prints were displayed on a bulletin board: 

Personal Mandala

In this lesson, students learn about what a mandala is and its history/culture. A mandala is a sacred space, often a circle, which reveals some inner truth about you or the world around you. Students also learn about elements of art that are included in mandalas, such as balance, line, shape, and repetition. For this project, students create their own mandala using meaningful symbols that represent their own lives.

To begin, students learn about radial symmetry and create a design on a quarter section of their circular paper. The students are required to use at least 3 symbols that represent their lives. After that, students need to tape that down to their desk. Now, the students need to take their final mandala, lay it on top of the template, and trace the design on it. Once a quarter section is finished, the students need to rotate their mandala a quarter turn and trace the same design. They repeat this process until the full circle mandala is complete. Students can now color their mandala. On a notecard, students need to explain each symbol they used on their mandala. To finish the project, students glue their mandala and notecard to a 9x11 piece of construction paper. Remember: student name on the project! 

On my mandala the symbols represent the following:

·         Cross = strong faith

·         Pencil = love for teaching!

·         Flower = love for summer

·         Shoe = enjoy running/working out

·         6 infinity signs = 6 members of my family

Extension activities: Students can use this project to practice finding symmetry in math. Students can also use this as an introductory tool when they first begin school and are trying to get to know each other. 

Hidden Safari

     In this activity, students will be creating a "Hidden Safari" using animals they think they would see if they were on a safari. The first step the students have to do it make special red glasses. To do so, students trace the stencil of glasses on to a piece of construction paper and cut it out. Next, the students glue a piece of red film paper to the glasses to create the lens part of it. The glasses are set aside to dry. These glasses will be used later to see their hidden safari animal!

     After the students have finished making their special glasses, have them start thinking of animals they would see in a safari. After a short time, give the students pictures of a few of the animals. The students are now supposed to chose one animal they would like to draw. Once they have chosen, they are to begin drawing their animal onto a piece of white paper using a blue (cool color) colored pencil or crayon. Remind the students to use a soft or light technique when drawing their animal. Suggest to the students that drawing the picture upside down sometimes helps when focusing on the different shapes in the picture.

     When the students are done drawing their safari animal, their next step is to hide the animal! To do so, they will use warm colors (red, orange, yellow). They can draw lines, patterns, shapes, etc. to cover their animal. After the warm colors have been applied, have the student put on their special glasses. They should be able to see their hidden animal! To finish, have the students glue their picture to a piece of construction paper. Along with their picture, the students need to write 3 clues about their animal so that other students can guess what it is before putting on the glasses.

Extension Activity: I would use this project in one of my social studies classes. I would have the students draw a famous landmark or statue. After that, they would cover the drawing in warm colored patterns or lines. Just like this project, I would have the students come up with 3 or 4 clues to what their picture is. Once their classmates have had a chance to guess what their picture is from their clues, they can then put on the special glasses and see what it is.

Vincent Van Gogh Inspired Collage

For this project, we studied the styles of artist/painter Vincent Van Gogh. In particular, we based our project off of one of his famous works known as "Starry Night." Student began by mod podging pieces of tissue paper onto a piece of dark construction paper to create the sky. Once the sky is created, student chose a landscape for the foreground of the picture. It could be city buildings, a beach, a farm, etc. This is cut out of construction paper. Last, students can enhance the landscape by using either crayons or oil pastels to draw lines or dashes throughout the piece. This can create movement within the work of art! 

Extension Activity: I would use this collage to make language arts more fun! I would have my students make the collage and then write a story about what is going on in the scene. This activity really gives the students a chance to use their imagination and creativity! Another activity I could have students do is create a scene from a book we are reading in class. 

Elements & Principles of Art

This week in class, we all participated in an "Elements and Principles of Art Scavenger Hunt." We had to take a photograph of each of the 12 elements and principles of art. I had fun with this activity and think my students would enjoy it too! Here are a few of my photographs from the scavenger hunt:

        

Shapes: (geometric) This is a "Welcome" sign craft my mom had made. 

 

Rhythm/Movement: This is an action shot of a ceiling fan. 

Contrast: Female vs. Male
This is a picture of my brother and I.

Space: This is a picture I took outside of my house, looking down the street. 

Color: This is a picture of a painted wine bottle with a string of colored lights in it. 

Footprint Introduction!

     One great way for your students to introduce themselves as well as getting to know their classmates is for them to create a footprint. The first step for the students is to trace their foot on a piece of construction paper. Next, they are supposed to cut it out. Once the foot is cut out, the students are supposed to use multiple types of media (glue, markers, newspapers, photos, glitter, etc.) on their footprint to describe themselves. A few things for them to think about would be family, hobbies, interests, etc. The students are also required to put their name on the footprint.

     I could use this footprint activity for many subjects! For math, the students could use the footprint to measure how big the room was for example. For language arts, I could have the students write a short story that explained their footprint and why they chose the items they did.

     For the footprint that I created, I put a picture of my mom and I on there to show how important my family is to me. In that same photo, I am wearing a basketball jersey. I especially chose this picture because sports are a big part of my life. I also drew some music notes because I love listening to music in my spare time. However, on this bottom of the music notes, I put a sequin. These sequins represent how much I like sparkly and glittery things. Towards the bottom of my footprint, I drew a cross. This cross represents my strong faith. The last part of my footprint is the background. Here, I drew and colored an American flag. I love our country!