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.

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: Glue Line and Pastel Masks

Ms Agurrie's third grade class made masks using two different mediums.  For our first project we made paper masks with glue lines and pastel.  Before they began I showed them a variety of actual masks and pictures of masks and we looked for the patterns and elements of art that were used.   We also discussed possible purposes for the masks.  Next the students made simple pencil drawings that they would use as a pattern.  Then they transferred the drawing to either black, brown or gray paper.

They had a choice between using black glue or white glue to trace over the pencil lines.  When they were finished they set them aside to dry to be finished the following week.

By the next lesson the glue was dry and they were ready to use the pastels.  After a quick demo they choose either oil or soft pastels to fill in and add color and additional patterns between the glue lines.

                                                      

Finished Glue Line and Pastel Masks