Elmer

Elmer by David McKee

I finished up my Any Given Child Residency this past week.  I used the book "Elmer"  by David McKee as an introduction to our final project on camouflage.  "Elmer" is the story of a patchwork elephant who learns the importance of being true to oneself instead of trying to be like everyone else.  As I read the book we discussed the importance of not making fun of others and being happy with yourself.  I also let the students know that I didn't expect their work to be perfect but I did expect them to show me their personal best.  The next thing we discussed was the camouflage aspect of Elmer.  As a patchwork elephant he didn't fit into his habitat so we   discussed what his habitat would have to look like in order for him   to be camouflaged. 

For this project the students had to think more abstractly.  The first part of the project was to draw the outline of an animal.  We had already practiced drawing animals for the previous project.  This time they were instructed to keep the animal simple and not add much detail.



Next the students drew lines through the entire page from "edge to edge".  The type of line was their choice (curvy, straight, zig-zag etc...)  but the lines needed to cut through the animal.  Then they traced over all the pencil lines with a black sharpie.  When they were finished the image looked kind of like a jigsaw puzzle.

Next the students used watercolor pencils to color in each of the newly created shapes.  They were also instructed to limit their color palette to only four colors.  The hardest part was getting them to color the new shapes and not look at the image as an animal and a background.

The students who finished in time had the option of brushing water over the colored areas to activate the pencils in order to create a watercolor effect.

Here are some examples of the finished products

Kaseberg Art Residency: Exploring Color and Line

Kindergarten/First Grade
When I begin teaching at a new school I like to start with the Elements of Art to get a foundation established before working on a final project.  With the primary grades my focus is Color, Line and Shape and Pattern.  I usually begin with a lesson on color where the students mix the secondary colors from the primary colors and then create their own color wheels. 

After learning about Color we explored the element "Line".  In the kindergarten and first grade classes we discussed vertical, horizontal and diagonal and then the students explored patterning using colored popsicle sticks.  They were encouraged to work together to create an abstract line "collaboration".  The kindergarteners often have a hard time with the concept of working as a team.  It takes a little prodding sometimes but we eventually end up with the table or carpet covered with a giant abstract design.  When the time is up we take a moment to observe and talk about their work.

Kindergarten Abstract Line Collaborations

Kindergarten collaboration

First Grade Abstract Line Collaborations

After they've had practice making patterns with colored sticks each student made their own abstract line collage using paper "lines".  The kindergarteners used colored lines on black and the first graders had grey backgrounds with colored lines.  They could also add black lines for accents.

Kindergarten Abstract Line Collages

First Grade Abstract Line Collages

Elementary Students Pastel and Watercolor Musical Instruments

School ended a few weeks ago so I'm late posting this but I figure better late than never.  

I make an effort to connect my art lessons to the learning objectives of each grade level.  The sixth graders theme was music.  After some thought I decided to use musical instruments as my tie in. We began the first session of the unit with a review of the elements and principles of art and then looked at artwork that included musical instruments.   We discussed the elements of art and the art media used in each example.  

The second week the students practiced drawing instruments from photographs and then created a final design focusing on one or two of the art elements.  By the third week most were ready to start their final project. After a necessarily brief demonstration on how to use pastels and watercolors the students were allowed to choose the media that best suited their design. 

The entire project took 4 one hour sessions.  The end result was a fabulous mix of colorful, abstract designs.  I was very impressed with the variety and creativity of the final projects.