Printmaking in 1st grade

Students in 1st grade experimented with color and printmaking.  Over several class periods, we used various circular items and many colors of paint to print and create an abstract artwork.  After they dried, the students cut their artwork into an organic shape and mounted on colored paper.  It was a great learning experience for all and we got to wear our paint smocks again (we do love our paint smocks!).

Background, Foreground and Mid-Ground

4th and 5th grade students learned about background, foreground and mid-ground in artwork by playing a fun game.  We took turns being the "subject" of an artwork in various portions of a "painting", while others observed and "measured" the subjects.  Students learned that subjects in the foreground appeared larger and closer to the bottom of the "painting", while the subjects in the background appeared smaller and farther toward the top of the "painting".  They enjoyed taking turns being the subjects and the observers, while learning all about the different areas of an artwork.

Color Wheels in 4th and 5th

Fourth grade finished their hidden color wheels by mixing their own paint and creating an abstract painting.  They all looked so different and complex.  5th grade is in the process of creating their own original color wheels including not only the primary and secondary colors, but the tertiary as well.  They created 12 identical pictures and are painting each one with pairs of complementary colors.  The pictures show some of the process, but we will post the finished creations when they are done.

Painting Texture like Eric Carle

The author and illustrator, Eric Carle, gave our second graders their inspiration.  After learning about the life and artistic style of Eric Carle we read and explored his illustrations.  We created textured papers with paint and various items as the base to our project.  The students then drew their own animal and created pattern pieces for use on the textured paper.  Each student cut out their pieces and put them together to create an original animal in the same style as Mr. Carle.  As you can see we have quite the colorful zoo in our display case.  I think Eric Carle would be impressed!

Polar Bears, Sculptures & Scarecrows

I know it's been a while since we posted, but we have been BUSY!  After learning about the many types of artwork by Alexander Calder, first grade created their own free standing stabiles.  They were all so colorful and unique!  Second grade continues to study color theory and used their knowledge in mixing paint to create secondary colors using only the primary colors.  They create a mixed media artwork using paint, oil pastels, fabric & buttons.  Kindergarten demonstrated their painting skills creating fuzzy polar bears with puffy paint snowflakes.  We are all learning so much and exploring as many mediums as we can.  Keep checking back to see all the awesome artwork we will be creating!

Color Mixing and Textures

This last week we continued on our color wheel and mixing activities.  Kindergarten is finishing their color wheel clowns, first grade is almost done with their "Mouse Paint" palettes and second grade is having fun painting their color theory scarecrows (pictures to come when we are all finished).  Third grade created texture paintings that will be used in making our Eric Carle style animals.  Fourth grade is adding more colors to their abstract, hidden color wheel and fifth grade worked on original Op Art pieces.  Fourth and fifth grade are also learning about actual and implied textures in art.  We are enjoying celebrating our creativity!

Exploring Color All Over!

These past weeks have been busy!  We have moved from learning about line and pattern to working with color.  All of the students will be learning about primary, secondary and complementary colors as well as warm and cool color.  The older grades will add tertiary colors, tints and shades/values.  We will complete several projects exploring color and continue many others throughout the year.

Storybook Pumpkins

Our school had a pumpkin decorating contest this past week and it was just awesome!  We sure have some very artistic and imaginative students here at Polser.  There was such a great turnout and all of the pumpkins were related to a children's storybook.  We also had a group of pumpkins that were selected for a Twitter contest.  Votes were counted through tweets and retweets.  It was such a super way to include our world-wide community.  Great job Polser Bears!

Collaborative Cube Sculpture

Our fifth graders worked really hard over several class periods to complete the sculpture that was unveiled at our school carnival.  I was so proud of them! We practiced a lot of geometric vocabulary and added abstract and realistic faces to our cubes.  Our idea came from a sculpture that was completed by students from the Nasher Museum Summer Institute for Teens.  Click below to watch our slide show to see the sculpture from many angles, just as if you were there in person.  After our unveiling, the fifth graders took turns reassembling the cubes into different arrangements.  In small groups, they discussed and critiqued their own work, looking at the elements of art and principles of design.  It was a wonderful learning experience for all of us!

Cube slide show: http://bit.ly/1glLVXl Nasher Museum Summer Institute for Teens http://on.fb.me/HvHevt

Red Ribbon Week

 This week is Red Ribbon Week, so we prepared last week with our collaborative projects.  Kinders through third grade created their own "brick" to be joined with their classmates in creating our wall against drugs.  In kindergarten and first grade we talked about cool and warm colors and using mixed media to create our art.  Second and third grade took it a step further by learning how to make bubble letters and creating Zentangles (artistic doodling), inside our letters.  Fourth and Fifth grade traced their hand and made numerous Zentangles inside, using many more complicated patterns.  Their collaborative project was "Hand in Hand We Stand Against Drugs".  They both turned out so well!  This Saturday will be our fifth graders unveiling of their collaborative sculpture.  Stay tuned!