Happy Mardi Gras!

On our districts art curriculum pacing guide, 2nd graders are to create a mask. I tried to come up with something more original rather than just a typical African mask because masks are used in many different cultures. On tradition celebrated right here in the states: Mardi Gras! I found a fabulous power point online that was informational about the traditions of Mardi Gras- and all was appropriate for elementary discussion :) Rex is the king, the colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold, the colors all are symbolic, parade traditions, krewes', king cake, and of course masks! The students LOVED this presentation and were really into the information. I mean what kid wouldn't get excited about parades, masks, and cake!? I even found the 'doubloons' that are the coins that Rex throws from the parade floats at the dollar store and gave each of my students one.

So about the masks! The masks are made from "sculpt a mold" a paper mache material that all major art catalogs carry, and we used plastic mask molds. I was at first worried about the sculpt a mold sticking to the inside of the plastic mask, because this material does adhere itself easily to other things, but they popped right out. I let the students paint them with tempera and acrylic paints, only green, gold, and purple. Finally students got the opportunity to embellish their masks using sequins and feathers, as many of the masks for mardi gras are decorated in feathers!!!! Enjoy the results, and as always check out artsonia for more examples!

3rd grade zentangle landscapes

So lately I've gotten my third graders hooked on zentangling! First with the paper sculptures, which I previously posted about, and now I'm having them zentangle a landscape drawing using fine and ultra fine sharpie markers. Below is a sample that I worked on with my students yesterday. I'll post theirs when they are done, but so far so zen!

MLK project/ The Crayon Box that Talked

One of my favorite poems is the Crayon Box that talked. It is a great lesson for students about tolerance of others and appreciation for differences in people. I had each 1st grade student draw a picture of themselves holding hands with a friend on the inside of a crayon outline. I then constructed a crayon box and die-cut the very end of the poem to hang up for the black history month music concert at the end of the month. Here is the link to one of the lesson plans for this book: Kinderart.com

 One sweet boy even drew a picture of the hulk and superman as friends!

Art in the News: Mona Lisa's Twin!!!

Apparently there is a twin to the famous painting of the Mona Lisa said to have been painted by one of da Vinci's pupils.... Check out this article from NPR: http://www.npr.org/2012/02/02/146288063/painting-sheds-new-light-on-the-mona-lisa

I've been waiting for this day!!!! (AND THIS IS MY 100th Post!!!)

Yesterday afternoon I was visited by UPS freight with a skid of clay donated by donors choose!!!! Don't go without supplies! Seriously get onto donorschoose.org and submit a project, you will be funded!!!

Frank Stella Inspired 3-d Paper Sculptures

One of the third quarter curriculum requirements for 3rd grade is sculpture. I choose to have the students complete a paper sculpture inspired by great American artist Frank Stella. I also combined the lesson with Zentangle drawing. First I had the students draw organic shapes, and fill those organic shapes with zentangle patterns before cutting out the pieces. Once the pieces are cut, I have the students use a hot glue gun to glue down the pieces while twisting, bending, and folding them finally adhering them to a piece of matt board. I was fortunate to have a TON of matt board donated to me a few years back... Also the paper that I had the students use is cardstock, not just regular paper. Here is the link to the orignal lesson that I found. http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/elem/Julie-design.htm

Here are a few of the results. Of course there are more examples on my artsonia link!

What to do with those Circle Weavings....

One of my students came into school yesterday with this in her hair! She took her circle weaving from last year off her paper plate, stuck some Bobby pins in it, and wore it in her hair!!! It was really cute!