2nd Grade Folded Paper Relief Sculptures

A few years ago, a fellow teacher was cleaning out their classroom closet and found a bunch of old wallpaper sample books.  Being the dumping ground my classroom is, she asked if I wanted them.  And of course I said "YES!!"  (I'd really be embarrassed to have the producers of those hoarding TV shows come check out my storage closets!)

 

I wanted to have my second graders create a SIMPLE relief sculpture and I turned to those wallpaper samples.  The students were given stacks of paper patterns to choose from.  They were to choose one wallpaper pattern and two colors of plain construction paper that went with their wallpaper.  I cut the paper into 5" squares.  (This was the loooooongest part of the project... better planning next time!) 

 

I then demonstrated folding the paper.  First I had the students fold the paper corner to corner on both sides so they would know where the center of the square was.  Then the folded each corner to the center.  Easy.  Done.  Next, they put glue on the back of each of the folded squares and glued them onto a neutral colored 12x12" piece of construction paper.

 

 

5th Grade Pop Art Self Portraits

Fifth grade students studied the Pop Artist Roy Lichtenstein to create their own pop art self portraits.  I first took a photograph of each student from the chest up.  While the students were waiting for their photo to be taken, I had them think about several different poses so they would be ready when it was their turn.  I then took the photos and loaded them into dumpr.net and transformed their pictures into a sketch.  This makes it easier for the students to see the defining edges of their facial features a little easier. 

 

The students traced their faces (basic lines only) onto white drawing paper.  They then added a single word in a comic book style that either defined themselves, or went along with their picture.  They then added a simple patterned background.  As a review of color theory, I had the students color their pictures with primary colored markers.  The next time I do this project, I may go more in depth with color theory and have the students choose their own color scheme.

 

 

Thanks to messy little hands for the inspiration for this project!

3rd Grade Laurel Burch Cats



Third grade students created these Laurel Burch inspired cats last year during our statewide testing period.  This was a great project to do during that time because they could work rather independently while they were in and out of my classroom due to testing scheduling. 

 

We first discussed Laurel Burch and her cat paintings.  We then drew the cats together and the students added their own patterns.  For the students who missed the drawing demonstration, I created a step-by-step "how to draw" handout.  We drew on colored construction paper, traced with black sharpie marker, and added color with regular and sparkly construction paper crayons.

 

 

(My apologies for my poor photography skills in this post!)

3rd Grade Comic Book Covers

During my student teaching, I had my 3rd graders create their own comic book covers.  There were a few requirements for their drawings:

1. They had to create their own superhero with special powers.
2. They had to have a name for their superhero.
3. Their comic book covers had to include a title and an image of their superhero in action.

We discussed and practiced (mostly) correct body proportions before drawing our final copy.  I loved this project because I got to see their imaginations at work!