3rd Grade: Mondrian Unit (Part 1)

Currently, my 3rd graders are in the middle of a Mondrian unit.  I've posted before how I've used Mondrian, and in this case, the final project is something new I'm trying out this year.  Before we get to that, however, here is how I opened up the unit.

This unit was started with a substitute as it was during one of the weeks I had to take my husband to his chemo treatments.  My substitute used my power point to introduce the works of Mondrian and to review the mathematical vocabulary that corresponds with Mondrian (i.e. horizontal line, vertical line, squares, rectangles, geometric shapes...COMMON CORE MATH!). 

Students then created these Mondrian animals on white paper using markers and rulers.  This was great practice for them on how to hold a ruler. 

Students cut out their animals and glued them onto black paper to make them look nice and crisp.

After the Mondrian animal project, I was back to introduce students to the final project, which is a clay cube project (something students are currently working on in math...3-D forms).  

On the front of this worksheet is color theory review.  These students already knew what primary, secondary, warm and cool colors were.  The complementary colors were a new addition.

On the back of the worksheet, students once again used a ruler to draw in their lines.  This is where I pushed students to not just simply draw a grid, as many of them did on their animal above.  We looked again at Mondrian's work and students realized that he used a variety of sizes of squares and rectangles.  The final aspect of this worksheet was that students had to color their cube using the color scheme of choice.  Mondrian used primary colors, but I didn't want to hold students to that color scheme, thus the color theory review.

Part 2 of this post will show you how we built our clay cubes.

Part 3 of this post will show you how we glazed our cubes. Coming soon!

Part 4 of this post will be our finished, glaze-fired cubes! Coming soon!

Studio Art: The Elements of Art (And Prang Markers!)

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a representative of Prang.  She asked if I would be willing to try out and compare some of their art materials and give a review of them in exchange for free materials...heck yes!  So, as I began planning my first unit for Studio Art, I decided to give the Prang markers a go, compared to the Rose Art markers they sent me as well.  So, here goes (I'm killing two birds with one stone here!).

So the first set of materials I decided to try out was the Prang vs. RoseArt markers.  As I continue through my post below, I'll show you some photos behind my notes here, but these are my thoughts about the markers:

• Prang
• 12 colors (+)
• Colors are more concentrated and solid (+)
• Bleed through 80 lb. paper when used heavily (-)
• White caps = no mixed up colors (+)
• Tips seem strong (+)
• Prang Power points! (+)
• $4.00 (Office Max), $2.89 for set of 8 and $3.95 for set of 12 through Blick
• Rose Art
• 10 colors (-)
• Less concentrated, more transparent (-)
• Don't appear to bleed through 80 lb. drawing paper when used heavily (+)
• Colored caps = mixed up colors (-)
• Tips seem flexible (-)
• $4.57 (Amazon), $2.20 through Rose Art

When it comes to markers, I have a few different kinds I generally use in my classroom.  I have the Crayola markers for everyday use in the supply bins in the elementary room.  I can definitely say that I agree with Mr. E. when he says the Crayola markers tend to be "sketchy" when coloring a large area.  That is why I let the kids use those ones for free draw.  I actually use the non-scented Mr. Sketch markers for specific projects that require a nicer marker (I prefer the chisel tip for thick and thin lines, though the younger kids do need to be taught how to use those markers correctly), and I use the obvious Sharpie marker for specific projects as well.  Currently, I'm not really sure where I'd stand on buying Prang markers.  If they were offered in a requisition cheaper than Crayola, I'd probably try them, but currently I've got a good stock pile of the others!

Now, they also sent Ticonderoga pencils, and there really is no contest there between the competitors brand.  I already purchase these through my Boces requisitions each year.  They're strong pencils, the erasers are good (while they last), and I appreciate that this pack already came sharpened, although the 12 packs I purchase are not sharpened.

So, onto the bulk of this post.  Because of the Common Core, I was asked if I had a textbook in the art room to use.  This Art Talk textbook is the textbook art teachers in St. Lawrence county agreed to use many years back, around 2000 I believe, as that is the copyright on this textbook, but at recent regional meetings, it's apparent that everyone does not use it anymore (granted, I'm sure that will now change again with Common Core rolling in).  It's an okay book, but I definitely don't plan on using it from start to finish for the entire year.  I'll use bits and pieces here and there as they fit what the students and I want to do over the school year and then I'll possibly look into a different textbook for next year.

My first unit is actually going to be pulled directly from the textbook, but with my own twist on the notes, quiz, worksheets and projects.  I know a lot of students tend to be bored by the elements and principles, so I want to get that out of the way right in the beginning, and hopefully make it quick and somewhat fun.  The projects suggested in the textbook to do all revolved around critiques and discussions in some way, which seems very boring for the beginning of the year, so I'm approaching it a bit differently.  Critiques will be handled more in depth in the second unit of the year and I'm going to incorporate an art project into the first unit.

The chapter is split into three lessons.  The first lesson discusses what art is (a form of communication) and why it is created.  The second lesson discusses where artists get their inspiration from, and the third lesson, the one I am going to concentrate on a bit more, is about the elements and principles, as well what is in a credit line.  We will spend a day on the first two lessons in class, taking notes in a note packet I've created and then the third day, students will actually read the chapter about "The Language of Art".  

For the elements, we are going to create this info-graphic type resource.  Lightly folding the paper in half to find the mid-way point, I'll have students fold the sides to the halfway point and then measure out seven equal sections.  From there, they will cut slits to the fold. 

On the front, they will be asked to illustrate the elements of art to help them remember what they are.  On the inside, they will have to write the definition of each element.

From this picture, you can see how the Prang markers bled through the 80 lb. drawing paper, which is 10 lbs. heavier than what I buy for my elementary room.

The lighting was really bad in this picture, but "shape" was colored with Rose Art markers and "Form" with the Prang.  You can sort of see how the Rose Art markers are a little streakier and transparent when coloring an entire area.

Also on the inside flaps, students will be asked to break down each element a little further with their illustrations.  For example, shapes and forms can both be geometric or organic.  They can showcase different shading techniques for value, different color schemes for color, and implied vs. actual texture for texture.  I didn't finish mine because I don't want any of the students to copy, but this is the gist of what they will do!

I only plan on having the students do this for the elements right now, as I think the principles are a little harder to illustrate right off the bat, but I'm thinking of offering an extra credit assignment where students can do this project at home for the principles as well to turn in.  I'll share some of my unit handouts in my next post and explain this unit a little more in depth then as well.

Popsicle Stick Drawings

I've already shared one of my end-of-the-year staple Kindergarten projects, the rainbow cities, and here is the second!  I started this one my first year of teaching as the last project the kiddos do, and it has stuck.  I like to use it because by this point, the kids are crazy and excited about summer vacation and I'm often trying to get my room organized and get artwork passed back to students to take home.

On the first day, I give students about 15 minutes and a handful of Popsicle sticks.  They aren't allowed any glue yet.  We talk about using the sticks to make a skeleton of their drawing.  They can create a realistic picture (houses, people fences, etc.) or an abstract picture full of shapes and colors.  They get 15 minutes to rearrange the sticks and then when I approve their design, they get to glue the Popsicle sticks down.  (Also, they aren't allowed to stack the sticks tall on the paper.)

I think this Popsicle stick drawing was the most creative one this year!  First time I've had a student think about doing a rocket ship!  Love it!

On the second day, they finish their drawings.  We use markers to color the Popsicle sticks and crayons for the background.  A lot of the time, some of these are just random scribbles and leaning more towards the abstract side, but I can always tell which students are really into art, their composition and still willing to be creative and think about their project at the end of the year based on their designs!