Rizzi City Building Collages: 1st Grade

My student teacher was with me a couple years ago during her practicum class field experience.  I was working on a James Rizzi unit at the time, and she remembered the student really enjoying it.  So she decided that she'd do a Rizzi lesson with the first graders for their cityscapes.  They've been turning out very fun & colorful!  I think Mr. Rizzi would be very proud to know his work is inspiring so many!!!  

Paper Sculpture/ Texture Focus: Kindergarten

My student teacher wanted to do a texture plate rubbing background on the papers before the students created a rough, bumpy, and smooth paper sculpture on top of it.  I think they turned out wonderful, and this is a twist on an old project I'll continue to use. Another reason why it is so great to have student teachers...they bring something different to the table!!  

What do you notice about these works of art?

This week I was struck by what I think is an interesting a phenomena while grading.  After looking at the pictures..can you tell what it is?  No? Give up?  The colors!  These students gravitated toward a certain color palette this nine weeks in all their projects?!?!?!  I know I've gone through phases with the colors I use in my paintings...but I've never really noticed elementary age students doing this.  Just found it interesting.

More Winter Owls w/ Patterns: Kindergarten

Here are more owls from this weeks Kindergarten lesson.

(see yesterday's post for more information)

Winter Owls w/ Patterns: Kindergarten

This week I read The Little White Owl  to my kindergarten students.  We discussed shape & pattern.  I also introduced construction paper crayons to them. I was thrilled with their work.  They aren't kinderbabies anymore!!!  This is one of the joys of teaching elementary!!!!  My kiddos are growin' up! ha ha

Collage Snowmen: Kindergarten

Now is the time I usually see my kindergarten students turning the corner!  It is exciting for me as an art teacher to witness such a transformation....often from nondescript markings to beautiful works of art.  They are doing so well at handling glue/scissors.  Well...most of them.  I heard yesterday I had an upset parent because their child has cut up their pants the past two times they've had art.  I'm assuming it was done in my room, but I did not see the "crime".  There are 21 students in the class...the tables are not made of see through glass....and they are required to stay in their seats.  So I did not see it happen..or the aftermath of.  I honestly can say I've not had a student do that in my 16 yrs of teaching.  I've had them cut themselves, trim their hair a little...but never cut up their pants/shirts.  Hopefully this will not happen anymore....I've been going over scissor safety/rules with every class.  

Winter Mural 2012: K - 4th Grade

Here the mural is completed!  

Winter Mural Parts Day 2: K-4th Grade

Kindergarten created more pine trees.  I am really amazed how much the struggled.  We may need to do more collage work to see if we can sharpen their skills a bit more!

1st Grade created collage snowmen!  I'm really happy with how they turned out...though I did have one student put the face on the butt side??!?!?!  

(2nd Grade created more winter paper weavings w/ construction paper crayons)

3rd grade made collage pine branches using markers & construction paper crayons to add more details to the needle portion.

4th grade created collage pine cones.  I'm not sure if you can see all the work in these, but they are really amazing in person.they cut out the "scales" and layered them onto the pine cone shape.  

CAN YOU PICTURE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE YET?  

STAY TUNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!