Fifth Grade: Keith Haring Inspired Figures

The fifth graders made two projects exploring gesture using abstracted figures.  The first was a 2D  project inspired by the artist Keith Haring.  The second project was a 3D sculpture made of wire.  We began our first project with a review of the elements of art color, line and shape.  After talking about body shape and proportion we discussed body language and how to use gesture to create a character or tell a story.   Before beginning their final drawings the students practiced drawing abstract figures in  action poses.  They also practiced using line and pattern. 

When they were happy with their final pencil drawing they used black sharpie pens to outline the figures and patterns.  They had three choices for finishing.  They could leave the drawing black and white and add pattern in the background, they could use primarily black and white with an accent color or they could color everything in flat, solid blocks of color with a few added action lines.

Black and white with pattern

Black and white with color accents

Color with action lines

Fourth Grade: 3D Geometric Design

 After finishing up their 2D designs the fourth grade classes learned about "form".  They started by learning how to make tight paper tubes out of newspaper that would be used to 3D geometric sculptures.  The first week they spent the entire class period perfecting their tube making skills.  The goal was to have 15-20 sturdy tubes finished and ready to use the following week.













The second week of the project was building day.  After a discussion of geometric shapes, a demo on joining and taping techniques and an brief intro to simple engineering principles the students were ready to begin. The first step was to cut the loose ends off their tubes while trimming them to the desired length. 





The next step was using masking tape to join the tube ends to make forms.  They practiced technique by building a cube or a pyramid.  After that they could add to their original form and create anything they wanted - as long as they could figure out how to do it.  The hardest part was making their creations stable.  I gave them suggestions and showed them a few examples of bracing but ultimately what they created was their choice.  In order to be successful they had to think like an artist and an engineer.  Mr Castro's class took it a step further and added paint when they got back to the classroom.