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!!!  

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!!

Practicum Take Over!!!

'My practicum students created & taught their own lessons this week!!  It has been fun to watch them as they see success & areas that need improvement.  As a teacher of many many moons.....it is so energizing to see young educators start to discover who they are!!

2nd Grade
Ms. Wilson did a POP ART lesson focused on Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans.
The kids loved creating their own wacky flavors.
(Though one is Mr. E flavored...and the paint brush has red on it?? My blood?)

1st Grade

Ms. Saunders focused her lessons on Picasso & him abstracted portraits.

The students laughed so much as they created versions of themselves with eyes, ears, and mouths going every which way!  They also enjoyed using construction paper crayons.

Ms. Alday read to the students a story about scarecrows.  The students focused on using shapes to create their works of art.  They also used construction paper crayons.  

The practicum students are doing an amazing job...and my students are really enjoying them being here at our school!!  It is really a win-win situation if you are on the fence about practicum students!! 

Teacher/Staff Painting Night

The past few years I've been hosting/organizing painting nights at my school.  It is an amazing time of fun, fellowship, and creativity.  I have many teacher call it their "therapy".  Though it does take some time, organization, and planning...the pay off is totally worth it!  

Past painting nights I've asked teachers for $2 to cover the cost of canvases.  I always buy from Michael's when they have their awesome 5pk/10pk sales, and they figure out to $2 or less!  This time though...my principal found some funds to cover the canvas costs.  I provided a variety of sizes for teachers to select from...but that's not always the case.  Ya get what ya get and ya don't throw a fit! ha ha

I provide the acrylic paint.  Most of my acrylic paint I've received through donations, or I've purchased using extra funds from the $2 a teacher thing.  I always organize by color so teachers don't have to hunt.  Time is limited, and I want them to be able to select their own colors!!  

I do cut out a variety of tracers for the teachers if they are "afraid"...but I don't pre-do their canvases. I'm there to encourage, help out, and challenge....not do their work for them.  That is what separates our paint nights from one of those Sips & Strokes(oh..and...the sips have to be school appropriate! ha ha).  I pull up images on the projector to help give them ideas, but it is up to them to create them!!

TREATS!!!!  What is a fun time together without some food! My wife made these yummies for our teachers & purchased the fun napkins!! She's the best!

So I set up each table for a teacher...with paper towel, water cup, and brushes.  I thought this would be great...so teachers could spread out and have their own space.  Well...as teachers came in...they started setting together. I guess they like each other?!?! ha ha  I usually have about 15 to 20 teachers stay after(they sign up prior to the event so you know how to plan!!)

HERE ARE THE RESULTS!!
(some aren't finished yet)

PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!!!!!!!!! 

FALL LEAVES: 2nd Grade

I love fall...and I love fall art!!!  My second graders created these amazing fall inspired, tint focused 12x18 paintings!!  They loved working large & with paint (who doesn't love painting?!!?).  We reviewed different types of leaves & I allowed them to select the one they felt they would be most successful with.  After drawing their leave with pencil..they outlined with black tempera.  I then did a demo on tints (and we discussed shades as well).  This gave students the needed information & gave the black paint time to dry.  I then allowed theme to select on color to tint.  As you can see...they were successful!  The hallway looks AMAZING!!!!!

Can't Stop Myself...

I do not teach in the same district where we live(neighboring counties). This year our schedules do not overlap.  So during my fall break I went to my kids' school and taught an art lesson! Their art teacher & I have become friends (she attended my conference this summer)...and she had mentioned about not having had kindergarten this early in the school year before (her school use to have a program to develop fine & gross motor skills for the first 3 nine weeks..then they would go to special areas the 4th nine weeks).  My wife told her...TED LOVES KINDERGARTEN..HE'LL COME TEACH A LESSON DURING HIS FALL BREAK! ha ha  

This is my son..he is a blur! 

I ended up teaching my son's kindergarten class.  They had yet to paint this year...so I did a watercolor lesson. As always...I started with a story that connected to the theme/subject matter of the lesson (pumpkins).  I'll do a post tomorrow of some of my favorite fall books to use with kindergarten!!  The kids were great!  They really enjoyed working with watercolor...and did such an amazing job listening to directions.  Even my son...who is pretty squirrelly at home..did a great job! The biggest challenge for me was that her classes were only 45 min..and I am use to an hour!

This kiddo use to be at my school...he was so excited for me to be there!!

Mrs. Farris is an awesome teacher...and I really appreciate her allowing me to invade her classroom and teach!! I'm thankful for such opportunities. 

Painting Pumkins: Kindergarten

Over all, my kindergarten classes did very well with painting their pumpkins & mixing orange.  Every year is so different...sometimes every class is so different!! ha ha  The image is 12in x 18in....I like kindergarten to have a large space to paint on.  Painting has enough issues for kindergarten....you really don't want them to work in small spaces!! ha ha  I use the biggy paints...4 colors.  They did great keeping the colors clean as well.  May need to paint a bit more since I feel pretty confident with their skills!!!

A Mr. E Painting Party

(I share about how I do painting parties...so there is a lot of text.  If you want to just skip to the pictures...feel free!!! ha ha)

Friday I "taught" a painting night at a local church (the children's pastor is a friend of mine).  I wasn't too sure about the evening....because the group was going to be large (about 50 people) &  mixed ages (from 4 to 80).  Both of those factors can make such an event challenging.  However, the everything went amazingly well.....though crazy....and I would totally do it again!!!

I know that many feel "painting parties" & such are questionable.  I personally do not believe in a factory mindset to painting.  I want people to paint something that uniquely them....not a paint by number hack.  Several of you had asked on Facebook how I plan & lead such an event.  So let me share how I "do" painting parties. 

PRE-PLANNING -  You have to know how many (or close to it) people will be attending.  Canvas can be purchased on the fly...but that is not convenient or cost effective.  Every event I've done...I've known in advance about how many would be in attendance.  I was able to purchase canvas on sale or with coupons over time(so far I've gotten the best deals at Michaels when they have multi packs on sale).  Size matters...for a couple reasons.  Larger canvas are more expensive..don't come in large multi packs...and can not be completed in the time frame of a painting party!  Acrylic paint does not go on sale very often!  I search Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Jo-Anns, and Wal-Mart for the best prices.  Wal-Mart has been good for acrylic.  They have a large selection of color....at pretty good prices.  I get the bigger bottles in my "main colors"...and a TON of small ones so there is a great deal of variety in the work!  

THEME- Depending on the wheres & whos....your painting party will most likely need a theme.  The past two I've done were fall themed.  Now a theme is good...because "non-artists" need some guidance.  However, you want to leave it open ended....so that there is choice & creativity.  I create stencils for the theme.  I feel that this is "enough" of a crutch for the truly fearful, but still forces them to think about composition, color, and completing!  

SETTING UP-  You want people to be able to work in groups so that conversation & sharing of progress is easy to come by.  So make sure your tables and chairs are close enough together to accommodate that, but leaves them enough room to work.  Have a central supply station.  Here you will place brushes, paints, paint plates, paper towels, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, rulers(if they want to create a straight edge border), stencils...and anything else you might need.  I've started setting up my laptop and my iPad with Pinterest pulled up for those who might be "stuck".  I would ask the location where your having the party to provide cups or bowls for water.  

THE ACTUALLY PARTY-  My favorite part of the evening is telling everyone we'll not be doing step by step paintings...and that I will not be pre-drawing their canvas for them!! ha ha  You have to move them away from the factory method of painting parties..and empower them to create their own work of art.  Let them know the "crutches" you have for them....and that you will be walking around to encourage, inspire, and help!  Make sure to move around them room and talk to everyone.  Even if they seem like they have it going on.....ask them about their work and offer them help if they need it.  Don't spend too much time with one person...or one table.  Some people do need more encouragement than others....but you have a whole room to help!  

LISTEN-  I have so much fun at these events. People really open up.  It is like therapy.  I've learned amazing things about amazing people...just because I was willing to listen. Some people are sharing their fears and thoughts about art.  Some are sharing their fears and thoughts about life.  Just enjoy it.  Times like that are few and far between in our world.  Art has away of bringing out so much in people....WHAT A BLESSING!!

Well..I hope that helps.  If you have any more questions...just leave a comment.  

 At the end of the evening..this sweet woman came up to me and said..."Honey, thank you so much for this...I have leukemia...and to forget about my troubles for a couple hours has been wonderful!" 

WOW! There are no words!!!

This is my sweet girl, Margaret!  She always says she's an artist...just like daddy! 

Not everyone did a fall painting..and that was totally ok with me.  This teen loves Batman, and she wanted to do one of the characters.  It turned out super cool!!

This couple has 6 children!!!  They were so sweet...and the mom said she wanted to be an art teacher, but was told not to do it because there were hardly ever jobs for art teachers.

The dads ROCKED IT!!!  I loved seeing them get into their painting...what 

great role models for the kids!!!