Bext Kindergarten Project Ever

Kindergarten artists have been working on the best project, in my opinion (and theirs), thus far--cardboard scrap people. Students have been learning about creating a figure with a head, arms, torso and legs. We have been talking about how the arms come from the top of the torso, etc. Once they create their little figure out of six cardboard rectangles, they head on over to the art buffet to gather materials to give it a personality. Students have had so much fun with their work, that I had to let them take their figure home right away. I am going to let the pictures speak for themselves on this one.

art buffet

And here are some finished pieces:









Awesome.

Kindergarten Catch Up!

Kindergarten artists have been working on a number of projects recently. Since I'm behind on blogging, I'll include two projects in this one post.

Pinch Pots!
Kindergarten artists learned about clay. We also learned how to create pinch pots. Here are some action photos. The work is air drying before we put it in the kiln. Expect finished pieces shortly after break.


3D!
Kindergarten artists learned about 3D (or three dimensional) artwork. They explored how they could take a familiar material (paper) that is usually used for 2D work and make it pop out. Students created hanging sculptures and sculptures on a base.





Kindergarten artists are now creating 2D and 3D collages using paper, glue and scissors. More on that later...

Kindergarten Observational Drawing Beginnings

I cannot express how important drawing from observation is at every age. With observational drawing, children learn to really look and to express their interactions with objects. Nancy Smith's Observation Drawing with Children is an excellent resource for teachers and parents interested in developing a child's looking and drawing skills.

I love the first time we explore looking and drawing in kindergarten. Students are sometimes nervous about getting drawings to look just like their subject, but instead we focus on looking at and including as many details as we can. For our first observational drawing experience, we looked closely at leaves. First, we used our sense of touch to explore a leaf in the mystery box. Students were not told what was inside before this experience, so they had to feel the leaf and share with the class what they noticed with their hands. Next, students looked closely at the shape of the leaf. We also listed all of the details we saw on the leaf--veins, holes, spots, etc. After this long investigation, students were asked to choose one leaf and went back to their table to draw it.

In the same class period (Kindergarten artists work FAST!), we came back to the rug and talked about warm and cool colors. Students noticed that warm colors remind us of things that are hot and cool colors remind us of things that are cold. After reviewing the watercolor painting procedure, students went back to their drawings and added color. They were directed to use warm colors inside the leaf and cool colors on the outside. They did a fantastic job!

More on Digication. (You have to see these!)

The Primary Colors

Kindergarten artists are learning about the primary colors. The primary colors are red, yellow and blue. In kindergarten, we learn that these colors are special because you cannot make them but you can use them to make many other colors. We began by looking at an artist who used the primary colors--Piet Mondrian. Students noticed that his work was mostly straight lines and rectangles of the primary colors, black and white. To help us remember the primary colors, students created a piece of art inspired by Mondrian.

Next, kindergarten artists experimented with color mixing. We read the book Mouse Paint and noticed how the primary colors can be mixed to make orange, green and purple. For our first exploration of color mixing, students painted circles and noticed what happens when wet paint mixes.

Students looked to Kandinsky for inspiration.

Here are some shots of kindergarten artists working. Check back on our Digication page (link on the right column) for finished pieces. They will be up in the next week!

In this unit, artists are learning about the painting routines and procedures. We are learning about the proper care of brushes and painting tools, carrying wet paintings and cleaning up our space when we are finished.

Parents please note -- We will be painting for the next few weeks. If your child has not brought in an art smock, please do so as soon as possible. Thanks!

The Year So Far: Kindergarten

Kindergarten artists have been exploring collage. We learned about how artists create collages using paper and glue. To begin our exploration, we read Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh. We then explored how we can build a picture with shapes. We also experimented with tearing paper to create our own shapes.

The following class, we explored the collages of Eric Carle. We noticed how his illustrations are made with collage. Inspired by all of his insect collages, the artists each created their own. Check out the display near South Hall!

Kindergarten artists have been learning about the routines of the art studio. One thing we are working on is sharing our work and talking about the work of others. At the end of each class, students are given the opportunity to share what they have made and to comment on and ask questions about the work of their peers. This is a very important part of art class and something that we build upon in each grade.

The Year So Far: The First Day of Art

Welcome to the South School Art Studio! Here are some photos of the studio:

This year, in South tradition, students in every grade created a self-portrait on the first day of art. They will repeat this activity on their final day of the year to see how much has changed about their drawings and themselves. Here are some examples:

See more examples on display outside of the art studio!