Blazing Banyan Tree

My grade 5's loved the challenge of this project. Every tree was individual and unique. Yes, it did take 4 sessions to complete though the final results were amazing. 

Kandinsky Colour Study

Collaborative Painting

This project was a fantastic way to create positive working relationships amongst my Grade 3 students'. During session 1 we focused on line & shape making. The kids worked as teams to create as many different shapes and line styles as they could in 10 minutes on scrap paper. These shapes and lines were then transferred onto large group drawings with black paint. Students' were encouraged to rotate around the table groups and to add whatever they felt like to each drawing. (shapes were drawn first then the connecting lines were added after). During session 2 the kids got to add colour to their group painting. My only instruction was that the same colour could not be touching. Again the students' got to rove table to table and work with various classmates. (this was a great teaching moment to talk about Artroom safety & moving around with paint brushes)

 

 The finish product as you can see is AMAZING!!!! Hands down my favourite lesson so far this year.

Salt Dough Van Gogh Sunflowers

Van Gogh has been one of the many masters we have been studying this term. After completing many drawings of sunflowers (focusing on texture, drawing techniques and realism) Grade 2 were ready to make their own 3D sunflower tile.

Below is the Salt Dough recipe we used. I'm guilty of over baking our tiles but once painted you can't tell the difference.

YOU WILL NEED:

A cup salt

2 cups of flour

¾ cup of water

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large bowl mix salt and flour together.
2. Gradually stir in water. Mix well until it forms a doughy consistency.
3. Turn the dough onto the bench and kneed with your hands until smooth and combined.
4. Make your creations using the salt dough.
5. Place the salt dough creations into the oven at 180C.  The amount of time needed to bake depends on the size and thickness of the salt dough creations.

Tips & Ideas:

• Store your salt dough in an air tight container as it keeps well for a few days.
• You can paint your creations with acrylic paints and seal with varnish or polyurethane spray.
• Salt dough can also be aired dried and is an alternative to oven drying. 
• Involve the kids in making the salt dough as this encourages and promotes so many learning opportunities, plus it is so much fun!

 This was a great activity to prepare my students' for Clay later in the term.

Colour Theory & Optical illusions

 This project was great to teach tinting/shading and the art of optical illusions.

 Students worked through a set of drawing instructions as guides by me on the whiteboard.
1. Draw 1 horizontal line across the paper
2. Starting at the horizon line, create small bumps (arc's) across the line. Vary the size of each arc.
3. Starting at the same starting point jump over the bump, finishing at the same point for each.
4. Continue creating jumps over each bump until you reach the end of the page.
5.Repeat the same action working your way toward the top of the page.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 below the horizon line.
7. Colour using 2-3 different colours for each column.
8. Students should shade heavier the outer edge of each column and apply the colour lighter (tinting) towards to middle of each column.