First Grade
The first grade students begin the school year by studying the artist Jasper Johns. Using shapes, letters, and numbers, the students assemble an artwork. We'll begin with a large bubble letter of the first letter in their name and then break up the space with shapes. We will color the shapes to make them interesting like the art below. The next step will be adding watercolor and then stamping them with alphabet printmaking stamps!
The students will design their space with the shapes and the color choices that they make. We will end with a critique of the works and the students will discuss collaboratively what they love about the artworks.
The students will design their space with the shapes and the color choices that they make. We will end with a critique of the works and the students will discuss collaboratively what they love about the artworks.
The second project was a portrait inspired by artist Paul Klee. The students study how Klee used geometric and free form shapes to create a non representational portrait which is expressive. The use crayon, watercolor, oil pastel and paper scraps to create the work.
The students then begin learning about landscapes and trees! The students take time to create trees in different styles and they review trees created by artists. The students also try their hand at paper weaving! They learn how to weave by creating woven paper houses for their tree landscapes! The result is beautiful!
The students also worked on weaving with yarn!
The students were introduced to Dr. Seuss again and reviewed Sneetches. The students explored diversity and appreciating each other for their unique characteristics. The students chose different animals with attributes they admired and created their own original creature and named the creatures.
The students then review the book by Seuss My Many Colored Days. The students explore how color may represent emotion and feelings. The students then create their own artwork to incorporate their feelings.
The students will now begin looking at artist Degas. The students will create horses in motion! Below is an example of a background of the artwork in progress. These horses really look like their moving!!!!
Students then explore sculpture. Students use clay, modeling clay, or slay dough to sculpt creations. The students decorate the creations and add paint, ribbon, beads, and glitter glue.
The first grade students then move on to viewing work of Monet. The students focus on his waterlillies. The students simplify how Monet applied color by beginning with bubble wrap printing in various blues and greens. The students add white to the paint to create tints of the colors. The students then do a bit of blending with oil pastels to create a reflection on the water. They add yarn to the willow trees, moss to the pond banks, and foam to the grass area. The piece is finished with a touch of fine blue glitter in the pond and tiny pieces of pink and green tissue paper on the pads in the water. These are truly LOVELY!
Students work on a different Matisse project that is centered on a still-life with fish! Students focus on creating emphasis and a focal point in the work. They explore how to use color to create a focal point. The students review their work and the work of their peers and give feedback to one another.
The students then create caterpillars with the primary and secondary colors. After they mix the secondary colors of purple, orange, and green, they can experiment and make any other colors.