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 

First Grade

Print by Eloise Renouf

Retro Flowers
 
The final project for the first graders was inspired by the work of Eloise Renouf.  Her style is inspired by mid 20th century prints and textiles.  The students were given squares of card stock in a limited color palette which they trimmed to make the basic shapes for their flowers and leaves.  They could choose to layer multiple shapes or use colored pencils to make their flowers more elaborate.  Black sharpies were used to add the stems and additional patterns.

 Finished Flowers

First Grade: Line, Shape, Pattern

On the first day of art class the first graders learned/reviewed the elements of art: color, line and shape and practiced patterning.  On the second week the focus was geometric shapes.  They were given black, white and grey paper circles and squares to create an abstract collage.  If they wanted a triangle or a different size square they could use scissors to create one.  After gluing all the pieces to a white background they had the choice of adding a few patterns with a black sharpie.

Kindergarten : Patterned Paper Flower Pots

Mrs Davis Kindergarten room

The last Kindergarten project combined all the things they had learned about color, line, shape and pattern.  They started with some pre-cut shapes and then cut up the shapes to create flowers and patterned pots. 

 Finished Flower Pots