Visual Arts - Ms. Brown
Term Two
2023-2024
Fifth Grade
My goal for the fifth graders this semester is to allow them more freedom and independent thinking in their artmaking. As an art teacher, I believe a huge part of progressing in the artistic field involves exploring and defining one's unique style of artmaking. Because of this, I want to give my students the space and ability where they can do so in a way that is both exciting yet challenging.
Independent Project 1
The first of the three independent projects I plan to give my fifth graders this year is the Pokemon project. The first day, the students spent the class designing and gathering inspiration for their own unique Pokemon. Those who finalized their design moved on to their official project paper and started outlining it with a fine lined Sharpie. My only rules for their design was that they could not use a Pokemon that already existed, otherwise they can be as creative as they would like. We ended up with some pretty wild designs which were really interesting and unique, everyone did a wonderful job on this step! The following week, the students practiced their shading techniques with colored pencil on a practice sheet and applied those techniques to their Pokemon. Once fully completed, the students got to attach their Pokemon to the “cards” made out of construction paper. Here they add the final touches to the card such as HP, specific powers, name and any other details they desired. For this project, the students referred back to the elements we learned about in their line, color and value unit from last semester.
Shape Unit
Following the completion of this project, we moved into our shape unit curriculum. This started off with the watercolor crystal project, where we discussed geometric shapes and where they can be found in nature. We then studied the geometric shapes found in crystals and gems and recreated those on our project paper. The following class was a painting day, where we first practiced how to blend watercolors and then applied those techniques to our crystals. The final day we cut and glued our crystals to a black background which we decorated with geometric and organic designs in silver Sharpie.
Independent Project 2
This project became the manifestation of all the previous units and our current shape unit as well. Before starting the project we discussed organic shapes and how they differ from geometric shapes such as crystals. We then talked about how we can find organic shapes in nature, such as the ocean, plants and even the shapes of islands. We drew these organic forms on paper, and created them into islands for our maps. The students followed along with a quick drawing tutorial on how to draw cliffs, beaches, a volcano and a ship. The students were given a brief list of things they had to include such as a village, a hidden treasure, lake, etc. but otherwise they could let their imaginations take hold. As a final step, we went over everything in skinny Sharpie and colored in our maps practicing shading and blending techniques along the way. This project was super fun to teach and a huge success with the students. I even passed the project onto the fourth graders figuring this is something they would enjoy as well. Awesome job everyone!
Fourth Grade
Shape Unit
Following the completion of their line unit from the first semester, the fourth graders have officially moved onto their shape unit. This started off with the watercolor crystal project. We began by talking about geometric shapes and where they can be found in nature. We then studied the geometric shapes found in crystals and gems and recreated those on our project paper. The following class was a painting day where we first practiced how to blend watercolors and then applied those techniques to our crystals. The final day we cut and glued our crystals to a black background which we decorated with geometric and organic designs in silver Sharpie.
The second unit of our shape curriculum was the secret island map project. Before starting, we discussed organic shapes and how they differ from geometric shapes such as crystals. We then talked about how we can find organic shapes in nature, in places like the ocean, plants and even the shapes of islands. We drew these organic forms on paper, and created them into islands for our maps. The students followed along with a quick drawing tutorial on how to draw cliffs, beaches, a volcano and a ship. The students were given a brief list of things they had to include such as a village, a hidden treasure, lake, etc. but otherwise they could let their imaginations take hold. As a final step, we went over everything in skinny Sharpie and colored in our maps practicing shading and blending techniques along the way.
Texture Unit
Starting off the texture unit was our stained glass window project. We first talked about implied texture and real texture and how each can be used while creating art. We then viewed various stained glass window examples both with literal depictions of the world around us as well as abstract designs. We then took inspiration from what we discussed and created our own designs on paper. Once finalized, we replicated those designs using string on sticky paper and covered with tinfoil. The following class we added color with Sharpies in the canyons of the raised designs.
Many of the fourth grade students were introduced to a brand new form of artmaking with their weaving projects. The first day we studied and practiced the basic over- under stitch on our looms and learned how to switch colors. I was super impressed with how quickly everyone picked this up and how helpful everyone was to each other throughout the entire process. On day two, the students learned the basket weaving technique which they apply to their looms along with the basic over-under stitch. The last and final day, we completed the looms by removing the warp thread from the loom and adding a popsicle stick and thread to hang a wall if desired.
Third Grade
Shape Unit
As we continued through the art curriculum, the third grade students started off their shape unit with their city landscape projects. Day one we spent the class carving geometric forms into our printing plates with a pencil. These geometric forms represented skyscrapers in the foreground and background of our prints. We then took the time to add windows, roofs, balcony, streets and many other details to our designs. Day two we colored out printing plates with markers, and stamped them onto a paper we wet with a sponge. After the prints dried we cut them out the following week and glued them to a black paper to represent the night sky. As a final touch, we added some details to the sky in silver Sharpie using Van Gogh’s Starry Night as inspiration.
Project number two carried an ocean theme as we recreated coral reefs with watercolors, craypas and a bit of collage. We spent the first class replicating the texture of specific corals using craypas, which we painted with watercolor once complete. The following week we talked about how organic shapes could be found in nature, in places such as forests, sky and coral reefs. We then drew organic shapes on our painted papers from last week and cut them out. This was then the “coral” which we attached to rocks made out of gray paper and added sea life such as fish, crabs and axolotls.
Texture Unit
The third graders officially moved onto their texture unit with a cake project inspired by the artist Wayne Thiebaud! We first talked about implied texture and real texture and how each can be used while creating art. We then investigated some of Thiebaud’s art and noticed how he used the texture of paint to replicate frosting and icing on his cakes. We then drew our cakes and “frosted” them with acrylic paint on pallet knives, creating a fluffy and layered texture. Through this project the students learned that it's okay for art to get messy and go outside the lines every once in a while.
Many of the third grade students were introduced to a brand new form of artmaking with the weaving project. Day one we studied and practiced the basic over- under stitch on our looms and learned how to switch colors. I was super impressed with how quickly everyone picked this up and how helpful everyone was to each other throughout the entire process. Day two the students learned how to remove the weavings from their loom and tie off the ends once completed. Many of the students tied their completed weavings to their water bottles or added little rugs inside their desks.
Second Grade
Shape Unit
Second grade started off the semester with one of my favorite projects so far this year, the toy robot project. We first discussed geometric shapes and what differentiates them from organic shapes. We then looked at robots and found that they were mostly made up of geometric shapes. To start off the project, the students first designed their robots on a practice paper and then recreated their designs using cardboard which we then glued together. The following class we decorated our robots with some paint, placed them in plastic bags once dry, and added a label with a name for our robot, function and price.
The second project started off as a secret. Before the students knew what the project was we discussed what organic shapes are and how they are different from geometric shapes. We then drew five organic shapes on our paper and only then was the project revealed. I did this in order to not influence the student’s drawings. I wanted to make it a challenge to create their alien designs from a completely random shape. The students were then tasked with using their imaginations and making these blobs into aliens by adding eyes, teeth, wings and anything they could think of. Day two we built our spaceships and glued our aliens behind a dome of “glass” made out of wax paper, and added a couple stars to the black construction paper background.
Texture Unit
The newest unit in our curriculum this semester is focused in texture. This week, the first couple classes got started with their textured fish project. We first talked about implied texture and actual texture and how each can be used while creating art. We also talked about how we can create texture by using different materials such as bubble wrap. We then started the project by painting our own bubble wrap and pressing them on paper to create a print on white and neon paper. Next week we are cutting up the colored texture paper to create the “bones” of the fish, while also adding a head, tail, eye and a string to connect them all together. I can't wait to see how these turn out!
First Grade
Line Unit
One of my favorite line unit projects from this year was our printmaking lesson. We first discussed different variations of line which include, dotted lines, squiggles, swirls, zig zags and everything in between. We then picked our favorite lines and carved them into our printing plate with a pencil. Step two, we colored our prints with markers and printed them on paper we wet with a sponge. Some students even had a little extra time to make a second print as well. Everyone did an amazing job with this one!
A second lesson which not only included line, but also value and color was our alphabet soup projects. These were a big hit this year. Day one we created our “noodles” by practicing our letters with oil pastels on a circular sheet of paper. We then filled in our circles with yellow liquid watercolor as the base for our soup. Day two of the project we created the tablecloth background. By using markers the students created a plaid pattern which we then painted with water to spread out the color and create some dimension. For the last and final class of this project, the students glued on a napkin and spoon on their tablecloth and added shading to the slides of the bowl and napkin. These turned out incredible and everyone should be super proud of all the work they put in!
Texture Unit
The first graders followed a very geological theme for their first texture project with their cave painting projects. We first looked at pictures of real cave paintings and discussed what we saw. We talked about the colors that were used, the animals that were represented, and who might have painted these images thousands of years ago. We then created our own cave paintings by drawing animals on our “rock wall.” We made this by first crumpling up brown paper and using a white craypas to create rubbings on the surface to create texture. We then decorated them with images of animals using red, white, black and brown craypas and signed it with our handprints as the cavemen did. Here we explored texture with the crumpled paper background and again with the handprint and smudge like texture of the craypas.
Another really fun texture project we explored was the Valentine's Day cookie project. Before we started, we first discussed how craypas can replicate the look of frosting with its soft texture. We then created our own cookies by cutting out hearts with brown paper which we then decorated with frosting and sprinkles drawn on in craypas. To complete the project, we glued our cookies to a paper plate ready to be served.
Color Unit
Continuing our color unit, the first graders are getting ready for spring this week with their flower collages. Day one of our project we used markers to create designs on coffee filters which we then sprayed with water. This caused the colors to blend together and seep into the paper below causing some really cool overlapping effects with secondary and tertiary colors forming in between. On day two, we used our “messy mat paper” to create the pot for our flowers. While spraying the flowers much of the ink seeped through to the paper below creating even more really interesting color effects. After cutting out and gluing on the pot, we drew on the stems, and glued on our flowers. We finished off the projects by adding more fun details such as bugs, grass, and raindrops.
The next project incorporates the artistic elements of line, shape, texture and color with their Basquiiat inspired dinosaur project. We talked about the expressive artmaking and the bold colors Basquiat used to create his paintings and how we can use those techniques to create our own. We also looked at and talked about his famous dinosaur painting. We collaged our papers with gray paper and drew over our collages with paint sticks. We then learned how to draw a dinosaur and repeated the steps with black paint on top of our backgrounds. To finish off, the students added details to their dinos with oil pastels.
Kindergarten
Line Unit
One of my favorite line unit projects from this year was our printmaking lesson. We first discussed different variations of line which include, dotted lines, squiggles, swirls, zig zags and everything in between. We then picked our favorite lines and carved them into our printing plate with a pencil. Step two, we colored our prints with markers and printed them on paper we wet with a sponge. Some students even had a little extra time to make a second print as well. Everyone did an amazing job with this one!
A second lesson which not only included line, but also value and color was our alphabet soup projects. These were a big hit this year. Day one we first created our “noodles” by practicing our letters with oil pastels on a circular sheet of paper. We then filled in our circles with yellow liquid watercolor as the base for our soup. Day two of the project we created the tablecloth background. By using markers the students created a plaid pattern which we then painted with water to spread out the color and create some dimension. For the last and final class of this project, the students glued on a napkin and spoon on their tablecloth and added shading to the slides of the bowl and napkin. These turned out incredible and everyone should be super proud of all the work they put in!
Shape Unit
We continued to learn about shapes this semester with our crayon collage projects. The students were shown an example of the project and discussed what shapes we saw in the crayon such as triangles, rectangles, and squares. We then constructed our own crayons using these shapes located in the bins on their table. After putting together their crayon friends, we then decorated a background for them to live on filled with scribbles, drawings and color.
While we were preparing for Valentine's Day, the Kindergarteners started a heart-themed project inspired by the famous artist James Goldcrown. We first viewed some of his art and watched a video of him creating one of his famous murals filled with overlapping hearts. We then got to recreate his artwork by dipping heart-shaped paper towel rolls in paint and stamping the hearts all over our paper until there was no white space left!
Texture Unit
We started a new texture project this week with our cherry tree collages. We viewed images of cherry trees and discussed what we saw, such as the colors, shape and texture. Using cut up brown paper we then collaged the base of our tree. Once that was completed, we then used sponges to create texture by dabbing white, silver and pink leaves onto the trees.
Another really fun texture project we explored was the Valentine's Day cookie project. Before we started, we first discussed how craypas can replicate the look of frosting with its soft texture. We then created our own cookies by cutting out hearts with brown paper which we then decorated with frosting and sprinkles drawn on in craypas. To complete the project, we glued our cookies to a paper plate ready to be served.
Color Unit
Continuing our color unit, the first graders are getting ready for spring this week with their flower collages. Day one of our project we used markers to create designs on coffee filters which we then sprayed with water. This caused the colors to blend together and seep into the paper below causing some really cool overlapping effects with secondary and tertiary colors forming in between. On day two, we used our “messy mat paper” to create the pot for our flowers. While spraying the flowers much of the ink seeped through to the paper below creating even more really interesting color effects. After cutting out and gluing on the pot, we drew on the stems, and glued on our flowers. We finished off the projects by adding more fun details such as bugs, grass, and raindrops.
Everyone
Thank you so much for such an amazing year so far everyone. You are all working so hard and it shows with everything you create. Great job staying confident in yourselves and your art and not being afraid to be unique. See you all super soon, stay creative!