Junior high watercolor

We started watercolor painting today. We went over several ways to use watercolors and different related processes. We also have started research on a mythological creature.

We will be creating a watercolor painting of a mythological creature.  The creature will next be sketched and then painted along with the background. This project should take several class days.

Junior High Pointillism

(sorry this post is a little late)
We are working on our pointillism projects. the students spent days searching national geographic magazines for suitable pictures to copy. these pictures are being copied using only dots. the student is required to provide their own supplies for this project. because of this, some projects are being done in marker and some are being done in pen. Paper for the projects has been provided.


In order to give the students more time on these projects I have decided to count this project as our six weeks test grade. This way, the students don't have to stop working on the dot project to study for a test. However, with the due date for the project being the final day of the six weeks I can not accept late work on this project.  Each student knows about the deadline and the reason for it being this way.

The Thanksgiving Project!

We will be doing a cooperative project for thanksgiving.  3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade will wok together to create a realistic turkey. Everyone will come to understand that a tracing of your hand is not how a real turkey looks.  We have a photograph of a turkey that we are copying. there are four general parts:  the body which is covered in small brown and silver-blue feathers. this will be done primarily by the third graders; the wing feathers which are black and white striped. this will be done by they fourth graders; and the tail feathers which are white on the tips followed by black and then a section of two tone brown stripes. these will be done by the fifth graders; and finally the head and feet which will be done by myself and Mrs. Gelner.

I expect this piece to be roughly circular with about a six foot diameter.Each student will be responsible for at least one feather on the turkey. The finished project will be placed in one of two places, either in the front foyer or in the fifth grade hallway depending on available space.

As of today each grade level has begun painting their feathers color pattern on paper. we will then cut the feathers from this paper.

Recent Lessons

Sorry y'all, I got a little behind on here...

3rd and 4th did a wax resist painting. In this we drew pictures and words using crayola crayons. we then painted  watered down black tempera paint over the painting. the paint stuck where there was no wax crayon marks.
We have now been combining the last three artworks into a holiday themed collage. This is being sent with the students upon completion. some took their work home, while some had their teachers display their work.

Junior High Art class has been working on more calligraphy and have started a stippling project.  They are choosing a picture from a magazine to copy. If they would like to do this project using markers they must provide their own.  Otherwise this is a pen and ink project. the image is copied using only small dots. the closer together that the dots are placed the darker the coloration in that position appears.

Junior High Calligraphy

I have asked each student to bring school appropriate song lyrics to class. we will take one verse from these and write it using their choice of a calligraphic alphabet.  They are supposed to have the lyrics Monday. If they do not, I will have some for them to choose from but it is unlikely that they will like my songs. 
   Some of the students asked for some extra time on the previous alphabets. I have agreed to let them work on those outside of class while we work on the song lyrics in class. The tentative due date for these projects is Friday (10/14).

Oct 6 - 12 4th grade assignment

The fourth graders are also working with pumpkins using Tempera paint.  They are being asked to add little details that will make the pumpkins look more realistic such as grass around the bottom, textured surfaces, and some are attempting a 3D effect with the facial features.  These artworks will be kept in the classroom until they are incorporated in the Halloween collage. 


I've been sharing this fun fact with the classes:  What was used for jack-o-lanterns before pumpkins?  Before European cultures had reached America, Radishes were carved as a Halloween tradition.


Here is the link for removing tempera paint from clothing:
http://www.octopusmom.com/Remove_Paint_Kids_Clothes.html

More 3rd grade October activities

This week the students are experiencing the use of Tempera Paint.  The students have been shown a pumpkin and have been asked to paint their own pumpkin on a piece of paper. They are being allowed to personalize their pumpkins and many are adding jack-o-lantern features.  These paintings will be kept in class until they are incorporated into the upcoming Halloween collages.  
  While painting the kids are using makeshift plastic smocks. This should cut down on stains on their clothing. Also, I have found the following website with suggestions on how to remove Tempera paint from clothing:
http://www.octopusmom.com/Remove_Paint_Kids_Clothes.html