Favorite Projects of 2nd Quarter - Part 2: Holiday Inspired Projects

December Projects Inspired by the Holiday Season

Abstract Trees

Poinsettia Painting

Santas in Pajamas

I generally just continue with my normal lessons during the month of December, however I do love all the excitement the kids have for the holidays. So if we finish with projects the first of December, I will connect the concepts we have been learning about, or will continue to explore in the new year, with something holiday themed.

These are a few of my favorites this year:

Santas in Pajamas - (1st-3rd grade ELL class)

This was actually a formative assessment. I needed to know where their knowledge was on shape and pattern so that I would know where to focus the learning after break. 

We quickly reviewed what a pattern was and students colored a paper with whatever pattern or patterns they could come up with.

They then cut the patterned paper into a large triangle and five smaller triangles to create Santa's clothes and a circle for his face. I asked these students if these shapes were geometric or organic shapes as they worked on this. Students added some facial features, cotton balls, buttons, and anything else they wanted to complete their Santas. 

They did look at me strangely when I started singing "Santas in Pajamas are dancing round the tree..." in the tune of Bananas in Pajamas.

 

Poinsettia Painting - (5th Grade)
5th grade students had been working on color theory. One of our objectives for this grade level is for them to understand what complementary colors are and use them in a work of art. The poinsettia sponge painting is perfect project for this. After discussing complementary colors we used sponges and red paint to create the flowers. The sponges were cut into a petal shape.
*In one of my buildings my bag of precut sponges disappeared and I was forced to sacrifice some sponge friends - :( sorry giraffe and donkey!

Students added the complement of red (green) to the background of their flowers. They could put some green in the background, paint it all, paint leaves, it was up to them as long as they showed the complementary color pair. Some details were added to the center and they were done! This is an easy and fun one day project. The results are beautiful and the students understand the contrast that complementary colors present. 

If time allows, I usually follow this art class with one where they can experiment with the other complementary color pairs. What happens when the two colors are mixed? Create a mini painting using another two complementary color pairs.

See more of these in one of our Artsonia Galleries!

Abstract Trees with Geometric Shapes - (3rd and 4th Grade)

This project followed our color lesson so we were able to extend our color discussions to talk about contrast. We looked at the color wheel and identified colors that would stand out when put close to each other. We also discussed the difference between Abstract and Realistic Art and Geometric shape when drawing out our picture.

Students were thrilled to learn they would be using markers to color in these designs. I guess I don't use them very often in our lessons. 

These took a couple art times to finish and students really enjoyed working on them. 

 See more of our Abstract Trees in our Artsonia Gallery!

 

Favorite Projects of 2nd Quarter - Part 1: Abstract Trees

5th Grade Abstract Tree with Monochromatic Sky

5th Grade students and I discussed the definition monochromatic. We broke this vocabulary word apart to see if they could figure out what the word meant. I questioned what prefix was contained in the word and many students were able to identify "mono". Most of my classes had at least a student or two that knew that "mono" meant one or single. Then we looked at the second part of the word, "chroma" which students didn't know at all. We looked up the definition using Google. I took this opportunity to show students a better way to search a definition on Google. 

We typed in "definition: chroma" into the omnibox and up popped the following:

So I then asked what they thought "monochromatic" might mean. Students responded with "one color?' Yay!! Now I know, why not just have them search for "monochromatic" in Google? Because...I love to engage students in thinking as much as I love them to engage in technology. Breaking apart words makes them think! I'm betting these students will have no problem figuring out what a monoprint is later in the year. 

Ok...back to the project. 

Students chose a color (primary or secondary) and practiced making tints and shades while painting a monochromatic sky. When they got to the ground they were able to chose any color they wished to paint it. Some students created a tint or shade when painting the ground. 

The next class we talked a bit about Abstract and Contemporary Art. I showed them some Abstract tree paintings from some contemporary artists. They painted their trees using black or black mixed with brown. Some students created more realistic looking trees while others created more swirly branches. 

The last class students used oil pastels to add circles or swirls or both to their paintings. They controlled what colors they were using. We did discuss how lighter colors might look better on the shade part of the painting and darker colors would look good on the tinted areas of the painting. 

The students did a beautiful job on these! You can see more here in Roosevelt's Artsonia Gallery. 

An Oldie but Goodie - What If Picasso Made Witches?

This project has been around quite a while, but it's a good one. 
I used it as an introduction to the abstract artwork of Pablo Picasso for my 3rd grade students.

We talked a bit about color choices when they picked the colors for the face. Looking at the color wheel we discussed what colors would be contrasting and stand out next to each other and which ones might blend more together. Ultimately, they could chose any two colors they wanted!

We also discussed what a profile was and how it differed from seeing a face from the front view. 

Students had a lot of fun creating their witch or monster. We started by cutting out a face shape from the two colors they chose for the face stacked together. Then they drew a profile on one of the pieces, cut it out, and glued it to the full face shape. 
I gave them examples and tips for cutting certain shapes like the mouth but gave them lots of room for creative choices. 

For some reason they kept questioning me on what they could or couldn't do with this project. "Can I make it have elf ears?" "Can mine have a mustache?" "Can I do a different kind of hat?" "Can she have a booger?" My answer - "You are the artist. You make the decisions!" I use this answer quite a bit. It usually brings a smile to their face.

I'm always a bit cautious of doing this project. I don't want to those students who might not be able to do Halloween themed things because of religious beliefs to feel uncomfortable. If I know ahead of time there are students who might not be able to do witches I modify it to monsters or let chose what they might do using the same skills.

Like this project but too late for Halloween...you could a similar project before Christmas and do What If Picasso made Elves?



How do you handle projects that might be off limits to certain students because of religious beliefs?