The first graders used yarn in black paint to create a random (and symmetrical) black mark. Their job the next class was to decide what they could turn that black mark INTO, and their ideas were truly creative!
We used pattern blocks to learn about geometric shapes and trace our fish. Then we learned about organic shapes and learned all about coral and plants in the ocean. To color, we used metallic colored pencils to give the fish a shimmery shine, and fluorescent oil pastels to do the coral. I love how they are all so different!
One of the things that first graders will be learning this year is the difference between geometric shapes and organic shapes. Geometric shapes are those math shapes with names we all learn: triangles, squares, rectangles, etc. The students used various pieces of paper to create their houses. We looked at a lot of interesting architecture and Victorian style houses for inspiration (the students oooohed and aaaahed!) Then we added brightly colored paper "candy" and white paint splatters to put our houses in the season. We also used silver markers for our "icing!" The houses turned out so amazing, they look good enough to eat!
Before Thanksgiving, the students created rice shakers using toilet paper rolls, paper, and bells. Then we used the shakers in music to sing a few songs, including "Grinding Corn." The students loved putting their shakers to work! I'm sure you've seen them at home!
We studied the work of Cubists, who create abstract work and turn real objects into compositions with geometric shapes. The students made these beautiful trees using closed in geometric shapes in the branches. Then they painted all different colors in the shapes. They turned out looking almost like stained glass. Wow!
For the fall season, first graders made a quick one day project of some oil pastel pumpkins! We talked about shadows and the different colors in pumpkins. We used cool textured paper to add extra texture. The students added crazy vines. Looks good enough to eat!
You will soon be hearing more about the first graders and Art to Remember. The students create a lovely artwork (students in grades 3 and 5 do this as well) and we send it off to the company. Then the company sends you an order form where you can buy merchandise with your student's artwork on it! There is no pressure to buy anything and the students will get their artwork back regardless, but our art program does benefit from the sale. Some of the cool things you could buy with your student's artwork include travel coffee mugs, lunch boxes, phone cases, and Christmas tree ornaments! We made these gorgeous gold cats based off of the work of Gustav Klimt and by using a cool color scheme background. They will look stunning no matter what you do with them!
Children's Day in Japan is May 5. We learned about Children's Day and how the Japanese use this day to celebrate the vitality, health, and personalities of their children. The Japanese celebrate this by making carp koinobori flags. The carp are a symbol of strength. The students made koinobori and added some little flags underneath to celebrate Children's Day. This coincides with our gyotaku prints (not pictured, sorry!) and our upcoming underwater fishy pictures. :) Happy Children's Day!
We are using the students' recreation of Gustav Klimt's Tree of Life for Art to Remember. Art to Remember is a company that takes artwork and uses it to create a variety of merchandise. You will get an order form that has your child's artwork in it. There will be a list of various products that you can buy with your child's artwork on it. If you don't want anything, just send it back!
To create the project, the students painted beautiful designs on a piece of paper. Then they used oil pastels to draw a tree. We added swirls and shapes. Then the students signed their artwork with their name and the year. You will love them :) First graders looked at Henri Matisse's paper cuts for inspiration for this project. They learned about and added geometric and organic shapes to their project. They also learned about contrast to try to make their colors brighter. We were WILD BEASTS with all our colors, just like they used to call the great Matisse!
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