Texture Hunt

Last week my student teacher wanted to do a texture exercise with 3rd graders to lead in to her next lesson. We were thinking about taking the students outside to find nature textures in the courtyard, but the grass was soaking wet. Luckily, there was a plethora of texture on the playground! I never thought about all the textures we would find there before that morning. We called the lesson a "Texture Hunt" and Miss Bennett showed the students how to collect the textures and create a nonobjective composition, thinking about what textures they were putting where, and how they created new textures when overlapped. 

Playground Texture Composition

Discovering texture on the bottom of the swings.

I created a grid and filled each space with textures for reference later. I could have filled several more papers.

I knew the students would enjoy having Art class outside, but I was surprised by how much they got in to finding textures. They were experimenting and discovering and collaborating. We did have to remind a couple students that it wasn't recess time, but overall, they did very well.

It was kind of a gloomy day last Friday so our 3rd graders that day found textures in the Art room. We did put out a few rubbing plates but the students found several textures that were already in the Art room.

Leaf Abstractions

I picked up this lesson at a KAEA conference workshop 2 years ago (I think led by SRA). I've taught it to 2nd graders the last 2 years- would you have guessed?

I think they did a phenomenal job. Last spring we wanted an art project to pair with an Earth Day book "Gilbert Goes Green" by Diane deGroat before she visited. I suggested this leaf lesson. I photographed the steps of my example to create a handout for the classroom teachers since the project would be created in their home rooms. After I presented an overview to all the 100+ 6th graders shoved into the library, it was handy to have a visual reminder to send with them. The 6th graders did a pretty good job, but I honestly prefer the 2nd graders' projects! Since I wasn't there, I'm just guessing that some of the 6th graders either tried to do too much then rushed through it or just plain over-thought it. Having said that, I think this lesson could be tweaked for any intermediate-secondary grade level.  I actually want to make a large painting using this process.

To begin the lesson, I have the students choose a leaf to observe. (6th graders were responsible for bringing their own and 2nd graders chose a leaf that I brought in.) We talk about the shape, the lines of the veins, the textures, and look for specific details like holes. We talk about what the veins in leaves are for, and if teaching the lesson in the fall, what makes leaves green then what makes them change color. 

These drawings were completed on colored construction paper. 

BEFORE THE STUDENTS START TO DRAW: explain to them that abstracting an image means you are starting with something real but altering it. This means that the drawings do not have to be exact copies of the leaves, the leaves are just a starting point for the lines and shapes.

The first step is to identify the "primary" vein that starts from the stem and carries through the to the top of the leaf. This line is drawn from top to bottom of the paper. The students' first choice can have a big impact on the final composition. They have to choose whether to make the vein centered or off-center, more or less vertical, or at an angle. I usually suggest that they make this first line a little thicker so it's easier to keep track of.

Next, look for the "secondary" veins that, depending on the type of leaf, will start from the base where the stem connects, or start at the primary vein and go out to the sides. It's a good idea to stretch these lines to the sides of the paper to make sure the space is filled. Thirdly, add more veins and negative space- where the edge of the leaf shows. Make sure the veins extend to other lines to form shapes. The last step for drawing is to add other details like cracks, holes, etc., then trace all the pencil lines with a sharpie.

We saved color for the 2nd class period. The students used a mixture of construction paper crayons and regular crayons. I demonstrated pressing hard to outline the shape, then coloring more lightly in the center to create value. I ask the students to think about their color choices (ex: analogous colors might help create harmony) but I don't restrict them other than asking that the same color not be used in shapes that are side by side. It's also a good idea for students to use a new color for the negative space behind the leaf. 

Leaf Abstraction

1st Grade Circle Prints

 This idea was inspired by the circle printing lesson on Art is the Best Part of the Day.  This was a two class period project.  On the first day, we reviewed organic and geometric shapes (that seems to be my "thing" this year) and talked about how overlapping creates new shapes.  We used styrofoam cups like I saw on Art is the Best Part of the Day but we also added cardboard tubes for variety in size paint.  I put black tempera paint out in little trays and showed the students how to stick the cups and tubes in the paint, then print on their papers.  I asked the students to have overlapping and to fill the space.  

On day 2, I showed the students how to find the new shapes that were created by overlapping and asked them to not have two shapes of the same color that touched.  I also reminded them to trace the outline of the shape with crayon first before carefully coloring the inside.

Some students got a little carried away with printing and had LOTS of little shapes to try to color in.  I encouraged the students to take their time and think about where they were putting each circle but some just couldn't resist! :)

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Crayon Bulletin Board/Top 20

We could learn a lot from crayons:

some are sharp,

some are pretty,

some are dull,

some have weird names.

All are different colors,

but they all have to learn to live 

in the same box.

I wish I knew where this quote came from!  I read it uncredited somewhere, tried to search, and came up with no results.  I had fun making my first hallway bulletin board.  I painted the background with house paint left over from the mural last spring.  Benefits: it always looks decorated even when empty and if I don't want to, I don't have to cover it with paper!  I still need to paint the frame but haven't had time yet.  I found a photo of a crayon and projected it onto 12x18 inch construction paper so I could trace the outline of the crayons and get them all the same size.  Next, I used crayons to add highlights and shadows and added more details with sharpie.  I had originally planned to use die cut letters until I realized how many letters there actually were!  Instead, I just typed, printed, and laminated the saying with different fonts to emphasize the different qualities.

Also, I was surprised to find out that my little blog made the list of Top 20 Art Blogs for Educators!  If you follow lots of Art Ed blogs, you've probably already seen reference to the list in the last week or so.  Lots of blogs I follow were on the list and I found a few new blogs that I now follow!  Take a minute to check out the list on the new Online Degrees blog.  Thanks, Maria!