Grade 3: Leaves, Lines and Repetition

I love this lesson as it touches on many subjects that I enjoy (fall leaf colors, repetition, warm/cool colors and resist). Last year, we worked smaller- on 9x12 horizontal paper. This year, I bumped the size up to 10x16 and we created a vertical composition that had between 3-6 leaves. 

 We discussed warm/cool colors, line, repetition, contour lines and fall leaf colors for this project that couples oil pastel and watercolor. Originally, the cool colors were to be in the background and the leaves were to be painted in fall/warm colors. Last year, I was quite impressed that my students asked to use their artistic license and deviate away from this plan. I had just designed this lesson and was curious as to how it could change into a better lesson.

 I had a boy walk up to me with a straight face and say "Mrs. Johnson, I feel that I need to use just a touch of warm colors in my background. I think that it will make the painting look better..." This year, I mentioned to students to use the colors that they felt were best at the right time but to utilize cool colors as much as they were inspired to. Some students even added in black with great success. They excitedly asked my opinion of their use of color. I love discussing art with children in a way where it's a consultation and they know that their opinion about their art matters the most. So, taking risks, and use of artistic license is what they did and I am, yet again, quite pleased with the results.

Grade 3: Ships

I LOVE the wonderfully executed water and the focus on the subject.

Last month, my third graders and I discussed the paintings of American landscape painter Winslow Homer and the significance of clipper ships (the greyhounds of the sea) in American history.
After drawing the ships and deciding how they wanted their sails to look and what accessories to add in, my students enjoyed blending chalk pastels in the backgrounds to create a sky and the water.
We used watercolor primarily to create "faux" wood.. The idea for this project came from a piece of art that I saw in the TCNJ k-12 Art, Innovation and Ideas exhibit that Bear Tavern was selected for last spring.
More student work to come!

"Breezing Up" 1873-1876 oil on canvas

Grade 3: Leaves and Lines Resist

Third grade is finishing up resist paintings of leaves. We discussed warm/cool colors, line, repetition, contour lines and fall leaf colors for this project that couples oil pastel and watercolor. Originally, the cool colors were to be in the background and the leaves were to be painted in fall/warm colors. I have to say, I was quite impressed that my students asked to use their artistic license and deviate away from this plan. I had a boy walk up to me with a straight face and say "Mrs. Johnson, I feel that I need to use just a touch of warm colors in my background. I think that it will make the painting look better..." I love discussing art with children in a way where it's a consultation and they know that their opinion about their art matters the most. So, taking risks, and use of artistic license is what they did and I am quite pleased with the results. 

Grade 3: Oil Pastel Moonlit Pumpkins and a dash of mumble

Yesterday, November 14, my final group of third graders finished their moonlit pumpkins. We started this project last month. Unfortunately, my Thursday/Friday classes get hit pretty hard here in NJ missing a TON of art between the teacher's convention and Thanksgiving. It's tough. If I could, I'd move the convention to almost any month but November (and December and April) because it's two whole days away from kids I will inevitably not see a few weeks later. Well, we finished today...I've had the rest on display in the hallway for weeks now.
Moving on, a staple fall project of mine has been pumpkins. In the past I have done chalk pastel pumpkins like these back in 2011. I saw a project on Pinterest of these pretty moonlit pumpkins and thought I'd switch things up.
We talked extensively about moonlit skies and how the moon tints the sky circling the moon. My 3rd graders used oil pastel on black paper to create the sky and then worked on indicating the direction of the grass growth using oil pastels as well.
On to the pumpkins, the kids knew right away that the tops of the pumpkins would be lighter since the moon was shining right on them.
I really like how these pumpkins turned out and the kids were happy with this project. Next year, I will go back to chalk pastel though.

Teacher Appreciation Week: She Made My Day

My students frequently draw me things and I am always touched by this. It's Teacher Appreciation week and I was especially grateful to receive this special note and drawing from a 3rd grader named Lily. She just finished doing a fantastic job on a complicated project. At the start of the period, she did not agree with my compliment of how she rendered the background in her painting. She went back and made adjustments to her liking and was really happy with her results. Perhaps just talking about the background was the support she needed to change it to her liking? I don't know but I was very happy to receive such a thoughtful note from her.

Grade 3: Toucans

Way to Go!!! Each of my third graders created one of their most amazing art pieces of the year in this project. We learned SO much about toucans, their habitat and what they eat. They also did an incredible job of using oil pastels and paint. The angles on some of these pictures are a bit off because I photographed them while hanging in the display case. Each toucan has so much personality. I love how creative the third graders got in designing the beaks and backgrounds. I can't wait for you to see the rest of the toucans when they are sent home!

3rd Grade: Art Meets Rocks in our Parade of Artists Assembly

Some projects are meant to be. My most recent Parade of Artists assembly was definitely in the stars.

Talking with Mr. Kirwan, our wonderful School Counselor, about random artsy things, he mentioned a Photographer named Jonathon Wells that he met a while back.

This Photographer is quite extraordinary for a few reasons....
1. He is a very good photographer....
2. He is also a Geologist....
3. He has a studio near Hopewell....
4. He creates unique photo collages depicting landscapes (cities, rolling hills, etc.) and the layers of rock beneath... exposing the beauty that lies underneath.

Jonathon Wells and students

Well, guess what, I reached out and got an answer back that he would be willing to talk to our 3rd graders about Art and Rocks! 3rd grade is currently studying rocks and minerals in science so what a perfect time to match up Art and Science.

We set up Mr. Wells' photographs on tables in the the All Purpose Room. The longest photograph stretches 7 feet! The kids "gallery walked" the table which were set up in a large "U" shape admiring the dozen or so images.
Each photograph is as impressive in the visible photography skills of Mr. Wells as much so as the amazing accuracy in the layers of rocks that he has photographed underneath Boston, New York City and numerous places around the U.S.
Just imagine how difficult that is to photograph layers of rock and to arrange those layers beautiful as a collage under an equally beautiful landscape photograph....

The Third graders asked Mr. Wells really great questions that reflect how much they are learning in science and how interested they are in learning about rocks and minerals.

Students at the start of the U shaped viewing line

I always feel proud to work for my school district (and BT in particular), but felt a new sense of pride in being able to connect two areas of interest for our kids and with the perfect guest speaker.

Almond Branches

One of my very favorite Van Gogh paintings is 'Almond Branches'. The painting was a gift for his Nephew. I just love the thought of him creating this beautiful, floral painting for a boy and every time I see this painting, I think of my son. For as long as I've loved this painting and for the amount of time that I stood looking at it like a cliche of a museum-goer, it never struck me to do a project around it. Standing in the hallway at Bear Tavern looking at the space where we are to create a wildlife mural, I noticed these eight, drab looking panels in the space above and in between our mural destination. Something has to go there, but what? A sky?! Not a corny old sky! Then it hit me Of course not a corny sky, a sky that is beautiful, strong and delicate! Almond Branches in a sky! And there you have it!

 It's circus week so my classes are a bit choppy. 3rd grade this morning only had art for 20 minutes. I promised our next project was a clay project so I didn't want to move on to something else or give a free art period. So, I spread out eight large pieces of paper and served them three scoops of paints and let them mix up the perfect blue sky. Wash the tables, wash your hands and on line for the assembly!
On comes 5th grade a few hours later. Same thing, but with slightly more time. Just enough that the half dozen or more hands that wanted to participate were able to enjoy painting the branches and flower petals.
I will hopefully be able to install some of these beauties tomorrow between lunch and the end of the day. Just can't wait!!

Technology Ramble and 3rd grade teachers rock mumble

Tomorrow, we're getting set to complete (or almost complete) our Native American Chief portraits in my 3 Machado group with my other 3rd grade groups close behind.
I will post pictures of the completed project but wanted to post my review Prezi for you to see.
Technology is a huge blessing for art teachers. I remember in my years as an undergraduate having to spend a HUGE amount of money making posters and prints of famous art to complement my lessons. I feel very fortunate to have access to technology(Smart Board) in my classroom and access to iPad for each student, laptops, scanners, and so much more. I'm not looking to brag, but it great to work for a school district so strong in technology.
Ramble, ramble. This slideshow is a super short but is used to REVIEW and DISCUSS before moving on to the final stages of my lesson.
Click here to access my Prezi and then click the blue "Present" button in the tope left corner

Oh, and let me add, it feels awesome to complement the subject area learning via art. The 3rd grade teachers at my school are AWESOME! I almost melted seeing the longhouses that a couple of the classes built using bamboo. I almost missed the creativity happening in 3rd grade as I was not getting out of the art room much. So glad I did as the timing on this lesson is perfect.

Pictures soon, and I am creating a technology resources page to file powerpoints, prezi's, etc.

Grade 3: Starry Night

Van Gogh is my favorite painter and one of my very favorite artists. My 3rd graders put in major work to create broken lines showing expression in their skies indicating the direction of their wind gusts. We talked quite a bit about Van Gogh and looked at several of his paintings.

Tiernan

Sulkmani

3rd Grade Monster Mama

My third graders are finishing up their Monster Mama portraits and did a nice job. For a better description, please click on the original post from last school year here.

Since I posted this project a year ago, I have seen it all over Pinterest so please link back to this blog if you do the project!

Sukhmani's, almost finished

Cole working on painting the hair

Alex working

Frankenstein's Monster!

See yesterday's post below or by clicking here

Frankenstein Monster hanging in the art room window.

Rory Mahon speed drying his final layer of paint. He used three stencils for this monster

Guest Presenter: Rory Mahon and Frankenstein

Aren't we lucky??! 3rd graders in my 3W class are in for a treat tomorrow. Artist, Rory Mahon will be teaching students how to create stencils and use them in a piece of work. Mr. Mahon, who is a parent at BT has been so kind to create tomorrow's workshop and to work with students. I am excited to see the following stencil of Frankenstein and accompanying paintings that he created and is bringing in to share with us. 

Rory Mahon holding up his Frankenstein created using stencils

I have been impressed with Mr. Mahon's professional work knowing the difficulty of the materials that he works with, iron, metals and stone.