Odd Saved Draft Posts: ONE

       

???So here was a mystery post in my "DRAFT" folder of blogger???

DO YOU ALL REMEMBER ME POSTING THIS??

It was from a year ago?  So strange??  It was a mixed media project where I had the kindergarten students created painted paper backgrounds one week...and then do collage birds the next.  I loved this project!!  So fun & colorful!  Anyways?!? Maybe this is a repeat..maybe not.  I had 5 drafts??  So..guess you'll be seeing a few odd posts like this?!?! HA HA

The Little White Owl: Kindergarten

I recently posted my "go-to" winter books for kindergarten!  

This week I'm reading The Little White Owl.

I have some amazing...I mean AMAZING kindergarten artists!!!!  I had them cut out the ovals for the eyes from white paper so they really POPPED on the page.  We drew our picture first.  They were instructed to make a fun pattern on the belly of the owls.  We then used construction paper crayons to color.  I really push "finishing" their work craftsmanship wise....so that it truly looks completed.  I love the results!!!

This owl has seen things!!!!

Emotion Birds: Kindergarten

The 4th nine weeks has a lot of skill checking for kindergarten!  I don't want it to be repeats of projects though!!  I really love this lesson.  I start by talking to them about moods/emotions.  We discuss what colors would be good to represent which emotion.  I really is a fun discussion...and you can see how much they've grown by their thought process!  

After we make a chart of what colors go with which emotion....I reviewed spirals.  They then created a background of spirals using the colors of the emotion they chose to show. 

Next they selected paper out of the scrap box to create their bird. This is a new thing for my kindergarten students.  Usually with collage, I have paper pulled for them to use prior to class, but I wanted to make sure they'd be ready for 1st grade when they must select their own from the scrap box!  We reviewed the colors once again to make sure they would pick the right colors for their emotion(most of them did?!? ha ha).  I did a demo on how to create their birds, reviewed scissor safety, and reviewed proper glue use.  I was thrilled that the birds did each have their own little personality.  

Soft Sculptures/Sewing: 4th Grade

Here are the amazing 4th grade Crazy Birds!!

Some of you have seen the progress of my soft sculpture/sewing project on Facebook & Twitter.  I've had many questions, and have tried to answer them the best I could in those formats.  I thought I'd do a blog post...where I can hopefully share a bit more information & answer any questions you might still have!  If not...as always...please feel free to ask me anything!

My students start by selecting the color of Smart-Fab they want for their bird's main body.  They fold that in half(you will need to precut if you get a large roll).  Then they will use the fold as one side of their bird...and draw a desired simple shape...triangle, oval, rectangle, circle all work well.  This will allow one less side to sew...which is a good thing(TRUST ME!).  Regular classroom scissors cut through it pretty well. They then sew the the rest of it together using a large plastic needle and yarn (color of their own choosing).  Remind them to leave about two inches to stuff their birds body.  After it is stuffed..they can finish sewing it up.

Between classes...my students store the body/parts in a lunch sack with their name one.  So helpful!!

Now for the rest of the bird, I have the student use felt.  They will use tacky glue to adhere it to the surface.  This will work if the students use enough tacky glue.  Get the gallon refill ready friends..you will go through a lot.  BUT IT IS WORTH IT!!!!   

SmartFab
This stuff is AMAZING!  Non-woven material....works so well for young inexperienced sewers.  The big plastic needles go through super easy.  

Plastic Needles
I buy these through School Specialty by the dozen.  Expect several to get bent up by student who are doing the wrong thing every year!! (order extra...order some each year)  

The Felt/Supply Station!
I have colors separated out in aluminum roasting pans(they are so handy & cheap!).

Tacky Glue Rules!!!!  I like Elmer's version, but

any good thick tacky glue should do! After keeping after my kids forever about not using too much glue when doing collage....the rules change for this.  More Glue/More Better! :) ha ha

STUFFING!

So after Christmas last year I found "snow" on sale for .50 a bag!! I snatched up several bags knowing this project would come around again!  So keep your eyes open after the holidays.  

Abstracted Birds Completed

Today the students added the black into their work...and WOW...did it make a difference.  I had my  doubts about this project, but I'm loving it now!!  The kids really loved looking at the Inuit work, and connected to bold black lines they used in their work.  I first had students draw their designs before giving them their paint.  I provided extra fine brushes so they could do more detailed line work where needed.  I think the kids surprised themselves!! I can't wait to see how the rest of the week goes!!

Abstracted Birds

This is the second class time of working on this project.  During the first week we discussed abstraction & looked at images of abstracted animals...as well as examples of birds depicted in Native American work.  During our second class time, we reviewed the color wheel & analogous colors. Students selected their colors and painted their birds.  We plan to spend a partial class using black to add definition to their images.  This project is hit & miss for me.  Some of the students are really doing some interesting things...while others are just mixing their colors all together into one(even though we discussed this prior to painting).  I'm hoping the black saves the day!! Stay tuned...I'll be sure to share.

Abstract Birds

So I'm working on a bird unit with 4th Grade....and I thought it would be interesting to create assemblage abstract birds with them.  The results had a very Native American/Thunderbird feel.  I loved it!!  Next week time we're going to paint them using analogous colors.

Chirpin': 1st Grade

         

As you may have read...I'M SO READY FOR SPRING!  Nashville is warming up...so my projects are taking on a much springier feel!!!! ha ha  I LOVE THESE 1st GRADE BIRDS!!!  I told the students we were going to create fun, colorful, springy birds.......and man did they deliver!! After drawing their picture with pencils...I had the students trace their pictures with black crayon to form a bit of a resist. We used markers to outline/color their picture next.  Lastly, I sprayed their work with water.  I love the look...and the kids were so excited when the colors started moving.  The resist does create a small wall between colors so they don't get totally mixed up.  

CHIRP ON FRIENDS...CHIRP ON!!!

More Birds: Kindergarten

      

Sorry gang...I just can't get enough of these little guys!!!!  They make me chuckle every time I see them (ever have a project like that?).  So I have two more days of teaching this lesson...you may see another post. ha ha  I love how the first one(top left kind of looks like Patrick from Sponge Bob).  

Mixed Media Rain Forest Birds: Kindergarten

I jump into Art Show projects right after Christmas break.  If you have ever done an All School art show...you know how much work it is.  Even though it is still a few months away...you need the time to prepare.  Some projects you dreamed up might not work out...kids are out of school...snow days...etc..etc.  So my kindergarten students painted paper & added texture to it last week.  This week the created the collage birds.  I think we may work one more time on it...adding a bit more sparkle!!!  

Funny Flamingo

This post started off being about the still life drawings my students are working on this week.  However, as I started photographing them...I noticed the faces of the flamingo were all so different! 

So here are the fabulous & funny flamingo faces!!! 

This is what Mr./Mrs. Flamingo actually looked like! 

When ya run out of paper..you gotta do what ya gotta do!
So this makes him look like Daffy Duck when he gets hit in the face with something!!
LOVE IT! 

This is kind of scary when you are flipping through all the profile flamingos...

and then this dude is staring at you!

I don't know...maybe you all aren't as amused.  They made me smile/laugh...and I wanted to share it with you!!  The variety is crazy...which I'd really love...if it wasn't a still life & they were suppose to look like the original.  

Oh well...at least my kids are all original!!!!!!! 

 HAVE A GREAT DAY!!