Second Grade "Fossils"

Sand Casting

 After learning about line and shape the second graders were ready to go 3D.  They made sand cast forms by making imprints in sand and then filling theim with plaster.

During the following class, after the plaster had hardened, the students used brushes to clean away the excess sand to reveal their "fossils"

Second Grade "Fossils"

Rock Strata Designs

"Earth"

I was looking for a project that would tie in with the second graders unit on fossils when I found this  print by Catherine Holcombe.  It reminded me of the rock strata graphs from a geology class I took a long time ago.  I thought it would be a fun way to combine fossils with lines and patterns.








We began the class with a review of the elements of art and some practice patterning.  Then we started the project with some horizontal lines that would represent the rock layers.

After a discussion about the kinds of patterns and fossils that could be used to represent the different rock layers the students got to work adding pattern. When they finished drawing they used black sharpies to outline everything.

When everything was outlined they used watercolor pencils to color the layers.  One of the things I tried to emphasize was using contrasting colors and values so that the layers would stand out.  I also encouraged the students to color in some of the individual shapes within the layers and not scribble over the patterns they had created with the sharpie.

When they finished with the coloring they used water to activate and blend the watercolor pencils.

Finished Rock Strata Designs 

Fantastic Fossils!

Sand Cast Fossils

The second grade classes were studying fossils.  We made our own "fossils" by making leaf and shell impressions in sand and then pouring plaster into the imprints.   When the plaster hardened the students "excavated" their fossils by cleaning off the extra sand with brushes.

Colorful Abstract Fossils

Fossils make great abstracts!  We looked for the elements of art in pictures of fossils and then made several sketches looking closely at the lines and shapes.  The object wasn't to copy the picture exactly but to use the lines and shapes they observed to make an abstract drawing inspired by the fossils.  Each student chose one drawing to trace onto a neutral dark paper and then outlined the pencil lines with black glue.   The following week pastels were used to fill the entire paper with brightly colored patterns.  They turned out to be quite beautiful!

Sketch fossil lines and shapes

Transfer drawings to pastel paper

Outline with black glue

Fill in shapes with colorful pastel patterns