Big & Bold Self-Portraits by Ks and 1s

For the past two weeks the kinders and first graders have been working on their big and beautiful self-portraits using chalk and/or oil pastels. These can be very messy materials but the children have persisted - despite fingerprints, smudges, and pink, chalky shirtsleeves.

Third Grade Mixed-Media Animal Habitats

This project has been a long time in the making! It came about somewhat organically, which is one thing I really love about it. After our last project, I brought in some "how to draw" animals sheets for early finishers to work on.

Kindergarteners Explore How Shapes Make Pictures

This year our kindergarteners completed a drawing project in which they used shape stencils to create a picture or design. First, they worked collaboratively, exploring how to use the stencils and experimenting together to make pictures:

Second Graders Learn How to See Like an Artist

Second grade learned more about how to draw from observation this year - which means there were actual objects on their tables and they drew them as best they could by paying close attention to what they saw. 

Kandinsky Sights & Sounds!

One of my favorite lessons do to at the beginning of the school year for kinders or first graders is based on the processes and artworks of Wassily Kandinsky. I talk to the children about Kandinsky and his sensory condition (called synesthesia - a mix-up of sensory processes - Kandinsky saw shapes and colors when he heard varying sounds). We look at some of his paintings and discuss the various lines, shapes, and colors that we see, and the children talk about what these elements make them think of.