First Grade: Aboriginal Dream Paintings

The first graders were introduced to dotted dream paintings created by the aborigines of Australia.  We talked about the materials, techniques and symbols that the aborigines used and then made our own artwork using the dream paintings as inspiration.

The first step of the project was to use a q-tip to make dotted outlines that created a pattern around a pre-painted snake. The snake was used in this project because the rainbow serpent is an important symbol in aboriginal culture.

After finishing the outlines we talked about the symbols that we found in the aboriginal art.  The students chose symbols to use in their own artwork that would tell a story.

When their artwork was finished the students paired up with a partner to share the story they created with the symbols

Kindergarten: Wind Socks

The kindergarten classes were learning about wind so our final project was to make patterned windsocks.  

Kasberg K-2: Pattern

Before starting their final projects each class has a project to practice patterning.

Kindergarten: Practicing patterns using line and shape

 First Grade: Adire Wax Resist Patterns

Second Grade:  Line Practice - Straight, Curved, Thick, Thin

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

Looks like I'm WAY behind on posting.  As I mentioned in a previous post my focus lately has been teaching........four lessons per classroom at Kaseberg Elementary School.  Really enjoyed the school.  Hopefully we can do it again next year!  The past week or so I've been trying to catch up on everything I got behind on.  I'll have a few weeks to get the yard cleaned up, the garden prepped and some spring cleaning and organizing done before I'll start up my next residency.  We're working out scheduling.......  

I'll post some of the Kaseberg student work in later posts but if you'd like to see the projects in more detail you can check out the Kaseberg art blog here

I also did an interview for the High Hand Gallery blog.  Here's a link