Fourth Grade: 2D Geometric Design

Since the fourth graders have been working with geometry I thought making designs with a geometric focus would be fun.  Before starting the project we talked about the art elements color, line and shape.  After looking at some examples of geometric art and discussing organic vs inorganic shapes the students were ready to get out the rulers, protractors and pencils and get to it!

When they had a pencil sketch they were happy with they used black sharpie pens to trace over the entire design before using watercolor pencils to fill in the shapes.  Before they started  adding color we had a brief discussion on how the use of color blocking, color/value contrast and neat work could enhance their design.

After they were finished coloring with the pencils they had the option of using a paint brush and water to smooth out the pencil lines and create a watercolor effect.

 Here are some examples of the finished designs.  I think they look fabulous!

Third Grade: Abstract Re-cycled Paper Masks

For their second project Ms Aguirre's third graders made abstract, painted paper masks influenced by Kimmy Cantrell with a little Picasso thrown in.  At the beginning of class we looked at examples of masks and talked about realism vs abstraction.  Then each student made pencil sketches of masks with an emphasis on keeping the masks simple and filling the entire page.

For the next part of the project we discussed collaging with paper and how to make patterns from their drawings.  They had the choice of using either black or white construction paper for their background and the reverse for the base of their mask.  Scraps of painted papers left from another project were used for the details of the masks.

 Finished Masks

Third Grade Abstact Masks

For the second project in Ms Robertson's class we made recycled masks inspired by ceramic artist Kimmy Cantrell.   We looked at examples of his work and talked about realistic versus abstract art.  Fortunately they were already familiar with abstracts after a unit on Picasso.  The kids cut the basic face shapes from black styrofoam meat trays.  Then they used colored craft foam to make the facial features and larger designs.  When everything was cut and in place the students glued them to a piece of foam core with their choice of colored paper background for contrast.

The next step was to add details.  Some of the students used black sharpies to outline and add patterns on the foam shapes.  The last part was to add small nails, thumbtacks or decorative pins for accents.

Finished Kimmy Cantrell Masks

                                   
















                                                                                                     

2/3 Combo: Recycle It!

Gees Bend Inspired Paper Quilts
 

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without"  was a phrase I was very familiar with growing up. My grandmother lived through the depression and instilled this idea in my mother who in turn passed it down to me.  To the early Americans the idea of living frugally was an everyday reality.  Today when and if we re-use things we call it recycling.  Quilting is an early American tradition that came from a desire to use up every scrap of fabric because cloth wasn't always as easy to come by as it is today.



Our first project was inspired by the women of Gee’s Bend Alabama who have developed a distinctive, bold, and sophisticated geometric quilting style.  They have  passed their skills and aesthetic down through multiple generations to the present.  Before starting this project we talked about quilting and how early quilters "recycled" used clothing and scraps to make their quilts.  For this project we didn't use fabric, instead we recycled leftover paper scraps from previous projects.


Each student started with a colored rectangle.  Then they used pieces of scrap paper to add geometric patterns in the style of the Gees Bend quilts.

When their rectangle was finished they each got larger piece of paper to use as a background.  It was their choice to glue it onto the background whole and make patterns around it or cut the patterned rectangle into smaller pieces to use as elements in their a final design.

     Our Finished Paper Quilts

Gees Bend Group Quilt

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” - See more at: http://www.frontporchrepublic.com/?p=2240#sthash.PtaEGcKZ.dpuf

Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do Without

Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do Without

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” - See more at: http://www.frontporchrepublic.com/?p=2240#sthash.PtaEGcKZ.dpuf

Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do Without

Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do Without