First Grade - Unit 2 - Scientific Illustrators

John James Audubon (1785-1851)
Roseate Spoonbill from 
The Birds of America
Click on the photo to learn more about John James Audubon

In Unit 2, the first grade students learned about various jobs artists have in our community and took a deeper focus on the role of the scientific illustrator. They explored this topic and the topic of texture and pattern within the 4 parts of the unit.

Part 1:  John James Audubon - The students learned the artist John James Audubon and how he used his art to teach others about the birds found in america.  The students then created a drawing where they choose any animal they wanted to draw and were asked to create a composition to illustrate the animals habitat and what the animal eats.  

Part 2:  Texture in art using paint - The students learned how to create different textures in paint by applying the paint using different techniques such as painting with a dry brush, painting with a sponge, painting with a crumpled piece of paper and also carving into wet paint with various tools.  The students painted with yellow, blue and white paint to see again how 2 primary colors become a secondary.  

Part 3:  Sea Turtles:  The students became scientist and studied about the life and traits of sea turtles.  Next, they used this information to be scientific illustrator and create a collage of sea turtles that might help others learn more about them.  

Part 4:  Clay Turtles:  The students used their knowledge of sea turtles to create a turtle sculpture in clay.  To create the turtle, they learned about how to make a pinch pot out of clay as their shell. (Photos to come soon!)

Kindergarten - Unit 2 - Clay Owls

For the next part of the project, the students created an owl using clay.  They learned about the properties of clay and view works of pottery and ceramic sculpture to learn more about the artistic possibilities of the medium. Next, they took what they learned from Part 1 about the shapes and patterns that can be used to draw an owl and used that knowledge to recreate their owl using clay. Once the clay was dried and fired in the kiln, the students painted the owls black and use oil pastels to add color.

Kindergarten -Unit 2- Owls - Part 1

We started this project with a reading of a very sweet book by Tracey Corderoy, The Little White Owl.  The students discussed the book's theme on friendship and accepting the differences in other.  Next, the students studied the shapes and patterns in all the colorful owls found in the book and used this information to create their own using oil pastels.  This was a quick, one day project that helped lead them into the next project, clay owl sculptures.

Artist:  Emily J.

Artist:  Samantha B.

Artist:  Ria S.

Artist:  Hemita N.

Artist:  Akshita

Fifth Grade - Unit 1 - Abstract Murals

5th graders focused on learning the elements of art - line, shape, color, texture, form, value, space.  They learned how abstract artists organize these elements into successful compositions.  The students also were exposed to various mural artists in Atlanta and around the country.  They discuss the value of murals in our communities and the difference between this and graffiti.  Next, they worked to create their own abstract creations while making careful color choices based on they knowledge of various color schemes.  

At some of my schools, the students worked independently but at others the students worked in groups to create group murals.  The reason for the different approach to the projects was based on the fact that some schools have a fall art show and need individual work while others have a spring show.  

Aryan

Delaney

Doyeon

Ayden M.

Jordan B.

Kai

Zuzia I.

4th Grade - Unit 1 - Picasso Inspired Cubist paintings

    

4th grade students learned about artist Pablo Picasso and his very different styles of art through the different periods of his art career.  Then they focused on Cubism - the art style where object are reduced to geometric shapes, sometimes rearrange on the page and where multiple vantage points are used.  The students choose to create a cubist style portrait or a cubist style scene of a musical instrument.

Pablo Picasso -

Girl before a mirror (cropped)

Click Here 
to play a game to 
create your own Picasso Style 
portriat on the computer!

Arianna C.

Arya D

Brian W.

Caroline W.

Colin L

Ella G

Grant

Keavic

Sara A