Our kindergarten kiddos learned about creating texture within their forms. We experimented with clay as well as using Model Magic. Color was added to further individualize each product. They created necklaces, ornaments, statues and charms. It was so fun to try out two different materials to create our 3D art works.
In 3rd grade we created our own horizontal/vertical grid. Then we drew a realistic tree trunk within a circle we had created with a compass. We added details to our tree to create a unique trunk & branches. Using oil pastels, we chose warm colors in the circle and cool colors outside our tree following the grid we created. All of us approached the project a little differently which created a very unique "forest" of trees!
In kindergarten, we are learning about line as an element of art. We find lines in famous artworks and each others artwork. We can use actions to demonstrate different types of lines as well as use and recognize lines in our own art. We first practiced line types/styles on white boards then created all 5 types of lines on watercolor paper using crayons. After adding our lines, we learned how to use watercolors and filled in the spaces we created with our lines. We also learned about watercolor resist and how the paint is repelled by the waxy crayons. 
5th graders created a unique, mixed media, fiber art piece. Each student started with a square of cardboard that they painted and then created texture using various non-traditional art tools. They then learned three different string art designs as well as created a few of their own. When dry, we made a circle on the reverse side and punched 16 equally spaced holes on the perimeter. Using art, math and sewing, the students combined the newly learned designs and their individual creations to make a wonderfully, original artwork.
4th graders created Mexican Folk Art Mirrors during Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15). We learned about the history and culture of families that came from Mexico, Spain, Central & South America as well as the Caribbean. We further discussed the numerous ways that Hispanic Americans have contributed and made their mark in the United States. The students created concentric rings, then filled the spaces between with unique patterns. When their design was complete they added color with their choice of tempera cakes, markers, colored pencils or crayons. We added our "mirrors" using styrofoam that we covered in aluminum foil in which we chased/embossed our symmetrical designs. Lastly we put them all together by mounting it on the color paper of our choice. The kiddos learned SO MUCH about Hispanic folk art, carving techniques, balancing patterns, color choices and line design all wrapped up in one awesome composition.
3rd graders learned a new method of creating unique images from patterns that repeat called Zentangles. This new artform is very fun and relaxing to create. The students focus on designing small patterns, within spaces they have produced. We learned to turn our perceived mistakes into beautiful arrangements. As artists, we recognized that balance, color, line, space and contrast work together to produce a successful piece. They look wonderful individually as well as make an interesting, collective installment.
Second graders studied motion and texture in artwork. They created texture on their sculpture base by splattering paint in different colors to create a design of their own. With a colorful, solid base they took different lengths, colors and textures of paper to create a sculpture demonstrating motion. They added "feet" to their sculpture parts to make sure they were stable, then looped, spiraled and intertwined them with each other, until they had a balanced, complete artwork. We became architects, road engineers, playground creators, roller coaster builders and skate park designers all while producing extreme artworks!
Kindergarten and First grade created colorful dots during dot week! They used markers to create concentric circles with unique patterns in between each circle. When their drawing was complete, they used a paintbrush to blend the colors with water. We then clipped them all together to create a wonderful installment in front of our hallway windows. The light coming through changed the look throughout the day. We tweeted out our completed artwork (@polserart) and actually got retweeted from Peter Reynolds, the author of The Dot, which we read school-wide during the month of September. It was awesome for the kiddos to see that their artwork was appreciated from someone we had studied. After we get a chance to enjoy them for a while, we are going to take them down and create an artwork using their dots as a part of a new masterpiece.
Our first school wide, collaborative artwork is complete! After having a quick review of color value, self-portraits and facial proportions, every student from kindergarten to 5th grade created a self portrait in the values of one color. When complete, we combined all of the portraits into one beautiful artwork!
Fourth grade has finished their clay owls and they look awesome! We started with a slab of clay rolled with our new slab roller purchased with grant money from LEF. The students then used a needle tool to cut a circle, folded in the sides for wings and the top for the heads/ears attaching with a score and slip technique. They then used various texture tools to create their unique owl. After they were fired in the kiln, students used acrylic paint to make their owls even more original. They are currently hanging in our display cabinet and look right at home.
Kindergarten has been busy. We read about a selfish Rainbow Fish that wouldn't share his shiny scales. We were glad in the end, that he learned that sharing made him feel great, just like when we share with our friends. The students were able to use marbles to paint with metallic paints. When their creations dried, they were cut into strips to weave into our unique fish. After weaving, we added creative fins and other details to finish our colorful fishes. Next, we studied the artist Georgia O'Keeffe and created our own versions of close up flowers. The kiddos first drew their flower on a four inch square, then enlarged it onto a twelve inch square. They then used tempera cakes to fill with awesome color. Our flowers turned out wonderfully, don't you think?
Started a new project for our artroom this week. Saw something similar on Pinterest, but wanted it to make sense in our room and to be able to use it as a teaching tool. After having my husband cut the pallets apart the rest was up to me. I sanded and primed each one, then used complementary colors for the base and different values of each color as circle/stripe accents. Once again I asked for the help of my wonderful husband to hang them in our room. They turned out even better then I thought. Now all of our art books are easily accessible for all students!
With March madness upon us, we decided to create our own art bracket. The entire school K-5th voted week after week to narrow down to our final winner. Some brackets were very close, while some were quite one-sided. By the end our Champion for the 2015 m"ART"ch madness was the one and only "Starry Night", by Vincent VanGogh. Can't wait to see who makes the bracket next year!
5th grade used technology, math, social studies and a lot of cooperation to complete these block posters of famous African Americans. After each class choose their subject, we found an appropriate photo to transfer. We then used the Photobrick app on our Ipads to digitize each picture and separate it into 6 sections. Each table took a section and used their Ipads to follow the colors on the grid. They worked together to cut appropriately sized arrays to correctly complete their section. When complete, all sections were joined together to create final artwork. It was a wonderful collaborative project. We have received a lot of ooohhh's and aaahhhh's. Our Oprah Winfrey and Muhammad Ali even hung in the gallery at the LISD East Zone art show at the MCL Grande Theater. 
1st grade explored different styles of lines, while creating concentric hearts out of oil pastels. After they completed all of their hearts, they filled the spaces with original line styles. The students then used watercolors to paint over their creation to explore the resist of oil to water. The kiddos are always amazed at how the watercolors just roll right over the oil pastels and color the paper without changing the lines.
4th graders study Texas Hill Country in their classrooms, so we built on that knowledge to create the background for our weaving. We looked at several examples of Texas Hill country landscapes and students created their own version for their background. After painting their landscape and creating their warp strings as the tree trunk and branches, students began weaving the tops of their trees. Some students chose to add beads to represent fruits in their trees, while others choose wild colors to demonstrate their artistic choices. All so different, but all so wonderful!
5th grade had a great time working with clay to create their monsters. The students started by learning how to make a pinch pot, then used their creative imaginations to turn that pinch pot into a monster. Some were silly, some were funny, some were scary, but all were different and unique. After firing in the kiln, they got to choose from 24 different colors of glaze to further individualize their monsters. After firing again, the monsters came out of the kiln with shiny bright colors. They were awesome!
3rd grade has been busy going from chalk landscapes to a tempera still life. We started our landscape study using Ted Harrison's artworks as our inspiration. We learned about the people, weather and landscapes of the Yukon. The students drew their landscape on black paper then covered those lines in glue. After the glue dried they filled the spaces with chalk pastels, blending to creating different shades/values of their colors. We also learned about the stone symbols left behind by the Inuit Native Americans of the Yukon, called Inukshuk. The students created their own Inukshuk and added them to their chalk landscapes. After our landscape study we moved to an ornament still life. Students created layered circles, then added shading, cross hatching, details and reflections to create the illusion of form. They used tempera cakes, which was a new medium for them. Both artworks were so original and beautiful.
1st grade was so excited to work with clay. They learned how to start with a sphere of clay and work it into a pinch pot form. After they created and smoothed their pinch pot, they added various textures using clay tools, noodles, etc. When the pots were dry they were fired in our kiln and the students painted and sealed their forms. They couldn't wait to take them home and show them to their families.
5th graders compared and contrasted the Hispanic cultural holiday of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with Halloween. They studied the etchings and printmaking of Jose Guadalupe Posada, most importantly La Calavera Catrina (Catrina the Skull). They focused their etchings on the Calaveras(skulls) observed in their research of this celebration for family members that had passed away. They created their sketch, etched it into foam, then painted and printed to create a 4 square artwork. This repeating four square print style was also compared to the pop-art styings of Andy Warhol. We learned so much, covering many artists, artistic styles and mediums.
