Fall Trees: Kindergarten

My Kindergartners are growing so quickly! 
   I was worried about the start of the school year when I heard that the classes were all going to be around 26 or 27 students.  We were use to smaller numbers in years past.  Though they've turned out to be a WONDERFUL group...I still am careful when planning my lessons. 
You have to consider class size + materials + ability + storage!

I start every Kindergarten lesson with a book....and have a ton of fall inspired stories!! 

PROJECT

The students were given light blue construction paper.  They were first asked to draw three  rectangles evenly spaced(I showed them to have a hand space between each tree.) that touched the bottom & went up toward the middle of the page.  This might seem like a bit much to ask of Kindergartners, but they can do it with a demo prior to starting.  

From the top of the rectangle to the top of the page, students are asked to create thin rectangles that go up diagonally.  Yes...I use the words diagonal, horizontal, and vertical starting the first day of class!  If you use it...so will they!  After students completed their drawing they were instructed to obtain a crayon box for their table....and use a brown or grey crayon to color their trees.  Last, I gave each table a trey with red & yellow tempera.  They used Q-Tips to apply the paint.  We also talked about what red & yellow make....and discussed warm colors.  

YEP!  I PACK AS MUCH AS I CAN INTO AN HOUR!!!  

Pumpkin Color Blending: 2nd Grade

My second graders have been creating pumpkins focusing on color blending.  This is a great opportunity to review the color wheel & all those color terms that are applicable.  

I also love this lesson because I feel it pushes young artists to work on controlling their media.  Students at the elementary level are often very heavy handed, and giving them opportunities to work on this school is extremely valuable. 

Fall Painting Projects for Elementary

Need some ideas for fun fall painting projects for your elementary students??
CHECK THESE OUT!!!

Bringing "CORN"dinsky out of retirement & into watercolor!  I have done this project in the past using oil pastels, but I like the look of it more so in watercolor.  A great project to introduce kids to the amazing work of Kandinsky with a different spin on it!!

Speaking of Kandinsky, here is a crayon resist project that might work well for early elementary.

Have the students draw several leaves on their paper using crayons.  Then introduce wet on wet technique. You can also keep tissues, tissue paper, or salt on hand to add a few more fun texture techniques into the lesson.  It would make a wonderful large group display as well!

I'm doing a unit right now with third grade that is exploring interior and exterior spaces.Bring the fall exterior inside by gazing out the window!  A simple change to a normal lesson that we teach students.  I always talk about the foreground being like the things you see right out your window....now it can literally be right outside their window!! 

Exploring color mixing!!  This is a fun & easy project with a lot of impact.  I have my student fill up their paper with different types of leaves(the biggest problem is that they draw them too small).  Then they paint....but must use 2 or more colors on every leaf!!  Proper painting procedures, color mixing, fall...etc.....this lesson packs a lot of lessons into one!!

Fall Books in the Art Room

My favorite time of the year!!  Growing up in the middle of a forest...fall has so amazing memories for me!  The sights, the smells, the tastes...FALL IS FABULOUS! 

I usually do fall themed projects with most grade levels during this time of the year.  I've accumulated many books that connect to the season...to read with kindergarten (or whoever!).  So here are some books for your consideration.  

WHAT ARE YOUR FAV FALL BOOKS??