1-6 Combo

Eric Carle Inspired Insects

I thought it would be fun to make some insects using  Eric Carle's painted paper collage technique.  The first step was making textured papers.  After a demonstration on painting techniques the students spent the remainder of the first class creating a variety of painted papers to use in their insect collages.  It was a messy process but a lot of fun!

The second step was drawing the insects.  We discussed insects and then the students drew several insects during a directed activity.  They each chose one of their drawings to use for their final project.

 The third step was to make a pattern from their drawing.

Next they used the pattern pieces to trace and then cut out the individual parts of the insects.  

 From sketch to finished collage

Finished Insect Collages!

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 

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