Clay With Large Class Sizes

 Class sizes have been an issue this year.  I know that others have it worse, but a large class size is a large class size.  Students do better in smaller classes...FACT!  We have four 2nd grade classes all at 25 students each.  We have four 4th grade classes now(as of a week ago), but my special area team voted to keep the old schedule to avoid having a split planning time(I did not vote to keep the old schedule), and have the three 4th grade classes at 31, 31, and 29 come to specials.  It is a struggle to restructure lessons and manage supplies when classes are large.  Just 5 to 10 more students than "normal" can really through the balance of a class off.  I have managed to do the coil pot lesson with 2nd grade, but there is more of a "rush" on my end of things in prepping for before class & firing.  I also feel like my flying through clay!!! How do you all handle large class sizes?  What are your biggest classes?(I'm coming at this from an elementary perspective.) 

1/2 Hour Class...Painting K-5th

This is what I did during our 2 hr delay day that changed my classes from an hour to a half hour! 

Crazy or Genius....YOU BE THE JUDGE! ! ha ha

4th Grade Weavings: IN PROGRESS

Before we started with our weft string, we talked about "themes" using color that students could use in their weavings. They needed to select five "normal" yarn colors.  Once they had woven the first five, they were allowed to select a specialty yarn to add to their weaving(they also could chose not to use a specialty yarn).  We talked about how different yarns can cause "challenges" while weaving(pompom yarn, eyelash yarn, blanket yarn..etc). I collect specialty yarn in odd places...and only when it is on sale!! 

This is our second class time working on our weavings. They hate when I say time is up!! Weaving is something that really reaches students in a way other mediums do not. We will work two or three more class times to finish these.  If students don't finish...I open my classroom to them in the morning after the first bell & before the second (about 15 min).  There have been days in years past where I've had 40 students in my room weaving.  

Here are a few examples from my students.

Abstract Expressionism: 4th Grade

We kick off the lesson we watched a short TEDed Video about Abstract Expressionism (focused on Pollock mostly).  We reviewed TINTS & SHADES.  I allowed the students to select one color to go with the emotion they were trying to convey to go with the black & white.  At the end of class I allowed them to select one metallic color to add.  I think I may allow them to use oil pastels and possibly one more color of paint to finish it off.  They are really enjoying this project/process so far!  

 

4th Grade Weavings

 Here are some of this year's 4th grade weavings.  I want to be honest with you....this was not my favorite year of weaving with the 4th graders.  Not because of the students or their work, but because of the looms.  I had ordered pre-notched looms, and I guess I typed in the wrong thing and did not notice.  I never...NEVER....get these thin looms.  I like to get the ones that are 9 inches wide.  I hate fussing with sending things back...so I decided I'd just use them.  I felt like I had more issues with the smaller looms.  One of which was it seemed much easier to hour class & it was more noticeable. If you like them...GREAT!  For me though...I'll be ordering the 9 inch wide next year!!!!  

Water Color / Water Color Pencil Landscapes: 4th Grade

My forth graders created unreal color landscapes in watercolor last week.  This week we are using watercolor pencils to add details, and finish up any "unfinished" areas.  They have loved getting to use supplies that just weren't able to use while we were virtual!  

Making a Portrait Using Kleki

Have you all tried kleki.com? 

It is so much fun, so easy to use, and free!  A majority of our students use the same type of computer provided by the district.....but some do not.  I wanted to make sure we were all using the same thing so I could give them instructions that worked for EVERYONE! I'm using it with 2nd - 4th grade, and they LOVE IT!!  Here is my asynchronous video for portraits.  

Give it a try...and let me know what you think! 

Op Art Fun (w/ Video)!

 My 3rd & 4th grade students love creating op art!!  This is a great entry level op art project where students can experience a ton of success! It is a great lesson for those teaching online! 

Art Dad: Print Making

 This week my wife is focusing on Japan for homeschooling.  She asked me if I'd do print making with the kids (they would then write a poem to go with their art).  We used styrofoam trays I purchased at Dollar Tree (Because I love Dollar Tree!!), pencils, paper, spray bottle, and Sargent Art's Paint Sticks. I had the kids draw the basic lines for their image and then print with their lightest color (we spritz the paper with the spray bottle and blotted it with a paper towel before printing the first color to make it more receptive).  I then had the kids draw more detail into their work and print their medium value.  Last I had them decide what part would receive the darkest color, and we cut away the rest of the styrofoam.  The kids enjoyed the process, and wanted to make more! 

After we finished the incised prints, I had them make some transfer prints using aluminum foil, markers, spray bottle and paper.  The older girls were blown away, and wanted to make paper to create cards, collage paper, and backgrounds for other art. My oldest daughter's best friend is also home schooling with us.  Her mom texted me later that evening and said her daughter was so excited she taught their next door neighbor how do do the transfer print!! 

Art Dad: Royal Portraits

With all the craziness & confusion about school in the district we live (I teach in the neighboring district), we decided to homeschool our kids this school year (my wife has been a 3rd grade teacher, math coach, a STEM teacher).  We felt consistency was what our children needed most.  We also picked up an extra kid ( my wife’s best friend’s daughter! ). So we have a classroom almost! Haha  She is using a program that teaches across the curriculum using a common theme. Since they are currently studying Queen Victoria..she asked me if I’d do a portrait lesson with the kids. I think they turned out dynamite!! 

1st Grade                              4th Grade

           5th Grade

(The 1st, 4th, and 5th grader on the right are mine!) 

4th Grade Dino Narrative Stop Motion: Ice Cream

This Stop Motion App video was created by one of yesterday's groups! They were extremely successful in telling a story. I'm so super proud of my amazing young artists!!! 

Check out the other stop motion videos my students have created on my new student focused YouTube channel: Art With Mr.E  (My other one is a mix of student and teacher content). 

OP ART"ISH" ACTIVITIES

Here is part of the mini-unit my 4th graders work on in Op-Art.  They really loved learning about & look at examples of Op-Art.  I have received several "at home" works from students where they attempted at home some of the ideas we discussed in class (I LOVE THAT!!!).  We may revisit the topic at the end of the school year when attention is waning.

Still Life: 4th Grade

I have so many new students at my school this year that I was really wanting to see where their drawing skills were.  My kids have always loved picking "fruits & vegetables" from my stash of still life objects....so we went that direction for this first observational drawing.  I was pleasantly surprised by the skill they displayed! Check out their work.