5th Grade Tessellations: Intro to M.C. Escher

For this lesson, I needed to challenge the 5th Grade students, whom many have had me as a teacher for over 5 years. Every Year I emphasize and teach into Patterns, so the tessellations fit in nicely with that principle of art as well as the Math Common Core Standards. We spent the first class observing his work on the smart board, really taking a look of the span of his illustrations. We stop and look at how the tessellations are similar to jigsaw puzzles, parts that fit without space between them. The students saw a teacher example of tessellating stencils that I had previously bought. This is the problem solving aspect that some pick up on, while others need a helping hand with getting started. The tessellations should span the whole paper, from one side to the next. The next period the students spend outlining with 2 or 3 colored markers. I explain that this is the color aspect of pattern that they would have learned years before. Finally, they are encouraged to take their time and color within the animals with crayon, alternating between colors. If students finish early, I have some great tessellation coloring sheets that they can work on to give the slower students time to catch up! Enjoy! Mr. Mac

Pk-Kinder: Feb. 2014...Intro to Patterns

For the month of February, the PK-Kinder were introduced to the design principle of Pattern. They had heard of patterns before in my art room, but we had not created projects that focused primarily on them. They began by creating a patterned painting. We read several books about what constitutes as a pattern (line, shapes, colors) in art, then had the students begin by tracing two shapes that repeated. Tracing is a very practical skill that they will use in my  room for years to come! After they had the shape pattern, I gave them three colors of paint...one color for the first and third shape, one color for the second and fourth shape, and one color for the "negative space" around them. The students were given about 3-4 periods to finish this first project.
The next project on Pattern I decided to do a "oldie but a goodie" from the book, The Mitten. This winter tale is about a boys grandmother who sewed him two white mittens. They become lost in the snow, when of course all the forest animals cozied up inside. Our class began by tracing the mittens with a pr

e-cut template, then coloring a forest animal worksheet. The second class was all about the patterns we would color so that the mittens will not get lost in the snow!! They focused on line, shape and color like the Pattern Paintings. On the third period, the students were given a short reminder of how to properly use scissors, then they cut out the mittens and animals. I stapled the two mittens together to save time (you can bind them with string as well), then the students carefully placed their forest animals inside. They seemed to see the connection between the fictional story and our project and did a great job! Enjoy!

3rd Grade Self Portraits

For this lesson, the time it took was much longer than anticipated! This should not surprise me, however, as this is often the case when working with detailed paintings around 30 kids! The first lesson was mostly instruction, lots of me talking and demonstrating. We looked at self-portraits by Van Gogh on the website Van Gogh'

s Gallery. It had a super cool video of many self-portraits he did that digitally melt into one another. Check it out if you can because its great to see the variety. We also looked at Picasso, then compared and contrasted the two artists. The emphasis was placed on how they drew what they "saw", from observation. The kids often associate self portraits with the whole body rather than the bust (head, neck, shoulders) that they will see in the mirror.
Next came the features of the face discussion which led us into my teacher demonstration. The kids have to see you do it first with any lesson. This not only inspires them, but they know what it is your looking for.
The first period ended with students drawing from their own personal mirrors (thank you Studio in a School!) with pencils.
The second period we focused on the environment that will be placed in the negative space around their bust. We offered either an abstract or representational background option after again looking at Van Gogh and Picasso online. Now the paint flows, which took plenty of time! I stuck with a light tone or dark tone and they could mix black and white as needed.
The next 2 periods were dedicated to work time. This led to a longer project, but better results! Hope you all enjoy their hard work...Mr. Mac

1st and 2nd, Intro to Patterns/ Pattern Fish

Sadly, this year I only see one First grade and one Second grade one time a week...another words, 45 min a week! Trust me, that is not much time to work with them!
Soooo, this month we learned/reviewed patterns in nature. The students were introduced to ocean life through the non-fiction book Coral Reef and the fictional book The Rainbow Fish. Next, I gave a demo for them to understand how to create patterned fish like the ones we read about. They started by tracing a fish template, then cutting it out with scissors. Next, I showed them how to "block" off the parts of the fish using various line and shape patterns from the review. Next of course came color, being sure to create a very bright friend! After the first book and demo, they finished one patterned fish to take home. I popped a hole and added string for them to hang at home. The following week we read the next book, reveiwed the process and off to work they went. While they were working independently, I cut out a large blue sheet of paper for a mural. I used old scrap paper to whip up some colorful coral, then as they finished we taped them down with old faithful, mr. ductape. This way, they can take them back in the future. This is one of two animal patterned projects, so stay tuned!

PK-Kinder Jan. 2014: Van Gogh Sunflowers

For this lesson, the students in Pre-K and Kindergarten were introduced to the artist Vincent Van Gogh.  At this point of the school year, the kids know about line, shape and colors which we have been studying since September. Now, it is my goal to teach them how to combine these elements to make recognizable and meaningful work. The students began by watching a video about Van Gogh on Brainpopjr.com. Afterwords, they were read a book about his life and work. Now the demo's begin! I used oil pastel to show them how sunflowers can be drawn with circles and curved triangles for leaves. Next they used green to draw the stems, ovals and curved lines for the vase, and a horizontal line from side to side to create the table. This makes the picture grounded, so that the flowers are not "floating" on the page. The next day they are given a demo on basic watercolor technique and off to work they go! So uninhibited, they love the bright colors and easy access to numerous color choices. If they go over the lines, oh well, the oil pastel shapes still stay strong. Great job to the many artists! As certain children finish early, I handed out a floral coloring sheet by famous artist, Claude Monet who also worked with sunflowers in 1881! Enjoy!

Something Extra: Tour and Workshop at The Bronx Museum of Art

Throughout the last 5 years, The Bronx Museum of Art has been very good to the students at my school. They have given us many guided tours and workshops without the hefty price tag many other institutions require. The last two years we have been led through the museum by Ivan and Fatima, two exceptional guides. Last week I took 4 classes, which were separated into two groups. We were brought throughout the current exhibition which hosts two contemporary artists, Paulo Brusky and Tony Feher. Both of the artist's have amazing work, but the opportunity for the students to stop and interpret the meanings are priceless. They began with an introduction of "What is art, What is it good for?" led by Ivan. This was actually a question posed by Brusky during one of his performance pieces. The students had an opportunity to make a mixed media collage after the tour, which always makes them happy to come home with a prize! Enjoy the pictures and please take some time to visit this great museum, whether in person or online! Mac

Dec. 2013 Paul Klee Inspired Castles: 5th Grade

Paul Klee

Coolest 5th Graders, Ever...

Everything takes time. When dealing with 30 kids a period, many students will finish a lesson quick, some a little slower and some will take the rest of the year if you let them. This lesson was a geometric shape lesson that dealt with tone and shade using watercolors. The students studied Paul Klee's painting Castle and the Sun, then got to work with a black marker and pattern blocks. The first lesson they were able to complete the structure and patterns, (most I should say) then the next period I gave a demonstration of how to produce tone and shades of each color. The painting took around 2 periods to complete for most, then the 4th they outlined areas that became muddy. They were asked to use light crayon patterns over certain shapes to add details. I originally thought this lesson would be quick, but it took up most of my Dec with the 5th grade! We will be making unity dolls this week for Kwanzza to celebrate the second principle of this holiday...photos to come soon! Thanks for checking these out!