1st Grade- Japanese Kimono Weavings

"Kimono" literally means "thing to wear" in Japanese. We learned about the history and styles of traditional Japanese kimonos. Next, we made our own colorful paper kimonos by using the ancient art form of weaving.

When we weaved, we made a pattern that goes like this: over one, under one, over one, under one. As we learned in Kindergarten, a pattern repeats, repeats, repeats. So, we repeated this pattern until we finished our beautiful kimonos.

To learn more about kimonos and other cultural symbols of Japan, check out this website:

http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/kimono/

2nd Grade- "Tar Beach" Dreams

We read "Tar Beach" written and illustrated by Faith Ringold, and we discussed how many great things begin with a dream (for example, MLK Jr.).

In Ringold's story, Cassie Louise Lightfoor's father was a hard worker, but he was not allowed to go inside the buildings he built because of his skin color. How ridiculous!

(Click on the book for a special surprise!)
Cassie dreamed of a better future for herself and her family. In her dream, when she flew over her father's constructions, they became hers. We each chose an architectural piece that represents something special to us and drew ourselves flying over it.

Architecture is something that is built by people. Schools, homes, theme parks, and bridges are all forms of architecture.

1st Grade- Radial Symmetry Snowflakes

The weather is getting colder, and we're hoping for snow in Texas!

Like many other things in nature, snowflakes have radial symmetry, which means that they're the same all the way around. To learn more about radial symmetry check out this informative slideshow:

Radial symmetry

View more PowerPoint from Nancy Walkup

In first grade, we used paper and scissors to create snowflakes that are the same all the way around.

Although the each have radial symmetry, no two snowflakes are alike and neither are our artworks!

5th Grade- Navajo Sand Painting

In fifth grade, we're learning about the Navajo tribe of Native Americans. In art class, we were inspired by one of the most highly respected Navajo traditions- sand paintings. The sand painting has been used for centuries in religious rituals, including healing ceremonies performed by Navajo medicine men. The colors for the painting are usually made with naturally colored sand, crushed gypsum (white), yellow ochre, red sandstone, charcoal, and a mixture of charcoal and gypsum (blue). Brown can be made by mixing red and black; red and white make pink. Other coloring agents include corn meal, flower pollen, or powdered roots and bark.

Or to create your own virtual sand painting, visit: http://www.artsology.com/sand_painting.php

Traditionally, a sand painting for a ceremony is made on the ground in the ceremonial hogan and destroyed at the end of the ritual. Aren't you glad our works of art were not destroyed?

To learn more about sand paintings, please visit these websites:
http://www.anthro4n6.net/navajosandpainting/
http://navajopeople.org/navajo-sand-painting.htm

1st Grade- Texture Town Collage

For this landscape project, we learned about perspective. When something is far away from us, it can often seem much smaller that it would if it was close to us. We kept that in mind as we drew our architecture and landscape.

Then, we used texture rubbing plates to create the illusion of texture on our buildings. This kind of texture is called implied texture.

Texture is all around us. It is the way something feels. Texture is important because it can show us how something feels before we touch it. Texture can even help protect us because if we are able to use visual clues to see the different textures of porcupines and bunny rabbits, for example, we will know which one we'd rather pet.

Once our textured buildings, trees, and plants were complete, we cut them out and glued them to layered paper to create a collage.

For more fun with landscapes, click here: http://www.schoolsliaison.org.uk/kids/landscape.htm

1st Grade: "Swimmy" Fish Prints

Before we started our multimedia artworks, we read and discussed Leo Lionni's book, "Swimmy". Check out this an animated version of the story:

In this story, the little fish worked together to outsmart the big, hungry fish. It is always a good idea to help those around us.

Lionni's illustrations inspired us to create out own underwater scenes using crayons and watercolor paint for crayon resist.

There are fish throughout the book that repeat, repeat, repeat. We created repetition too, by making styro-prints of fish as a finishing touch.

When used together, different art materials can make beautiful creations!

3rd Grade- Warm vs. Cool Color Silhouettes

Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow make us feel all toasty warm inside, while cool colors like blue, green and purple make us think of cool things. We used warm colors in the background of our artwork and cool colors inside of our silhouettes.

Did you know that if you cut the color wheel in half, one side will have all the warm colors and the other will consist of cool colors?
Elements & Principles of Art Student Videos--Cool Colors

Elements & Principles of Art Student Videos--Warm Colors