2nd Grade "Klee's Kool Kats"

Second grade studied the art of Paul Klee, specifically his cat paintings, and warm and cool colors.  I've done this project in the past with finger painting and wax crayon laid down lightly over the paint with FANTASTIC results (picture of this shown last), but due to time constraints, I decided to have the students use chalk pastel for color.  I don't think these look too bad, but I just wish I had more time with the kids!

And here is the painting I've done in previous years:

I wish I remembered where I found this project so I can give credit where credit is due! 

6th Grade Doodle Drawings

I had originally intended for this project to be something the students work on a little bit at a time throughout the grading period, but they were having so much fun and their work was looking so awesome that I decided to turn it into a regular project.  I have been so impressed with the quality of work my 6th graders are completing this year!  We talked briefly about visual texture through pattern, but for the most part, the students were left to their own devices!

Thanks to A Faithful Attempt for the inspiration for this amazing project!

3rd Grade Kandinsky Concentric Circles

Third grade students studied the art of Wassily Kandinsky, specifically his "Squares with Concentric Circles" painting.  This was a great fine motor skill exercise for the students, because of all the tearing they had to do.  The students first glued 6" square pieces of various colored construction paper onto 12x18" white paper.  They then took 6 more pieces of square paper, folded them in half, and tore half circles (to make a whole circle once opened) until they couldn't tear any more.  Starting with the largest rings (or partial rings), they glued the pieces on top of the original 6 squares, making sure to use ALL of the pieces.

Thanks to United Art & Education for the inspiration for this project!

6th Grade Jim Dine Heart Paintings

Happy Valen-Dine's Day!  Okay, okay...

I was scrambling right before Valentine's Day to find a short and easy project to allow some of my 6th graders to finish their previous assignment before starting a new project with the rest of the class.  I don't usually do holiday themed artwork (it just goes against everything I am as an art teacher), but this project was PERFECT because it was 1) something the students could work on relatively independently, 2) something quick, and 3) the students would be introduced to a little Pop Art history through the artist Jim Dine! 

The students first painted their paper using just about every paint color I have.  I urged them to experiment with mixing color on their paper and to relax and be a little messy with the painting.  Once the paint was dry, the students then used black or white paint to create the heart, with the original colors as the positive space, and the white/black as the negative space. 

6th Grade Joan Miró Painting (Mini Project)

Every now and then we get to a point in my 6th grade classes where some students are working on one project and others are waiting for the next.  I've starting have those students who are finished work on a mini project where they can work relatively independently.  For this mini project, I briefly showed a few Joan Miró  images and gave a quick description of his painting style.  The students then came up with their own interpretations of Miró's artwork.  For working independently, these turned out pretty great!