Polenta Staff Monuments

This lesson I borrowed from http://elementaryartfun.blogspot.com/search/label/Monuments, but I tweaked it a tad to fit my art supplies.

We began the lesson talking about monuments. What they are and some examples around the world. Then we focused on monuments of people, and what kind of characteristics a person would have to have to be inspiring. We brainstormed these on the board.

We discussed how all of these characteristics really show in our teachers/staff at Polenta.

Each student was to pick one staff member at school and to create a three dimensional monument of them. In each class no more that two students doing the same person.

The above site really has a great overview of this lesson. However I used wheat paste instead of glue. We did use toilet paper (thanks to our custodians hooking us up). paper towels too hard to shape and mold. Instead of poster board..I had already ordered these from school specialty

Roylco Stand-Up Self Portrait Art Project Kit - 6 1/4 x 9 inch - Pack of 40 I did however rip the backs off and create my own with tag board and hot glue.

Students painted over their paper mache (i did however prime them with gesso myself first) and they added yarn for the hair and other embellishments for fun. They put a clear sealer/varnish on top of the paint too. The very last day they added a name plate and wrote why their staff member is inspiring. Several are focused in the display case outside of my room (see pics).

I plan on having a monument exhibit the week after next in the media center to display all of them. Staff is getting a hoot out at them and think they are great.
I think it makes the staff members feel special to be thought of.

Next nine weeks when I do it all again, maybe I won't do the paper mache?

Why. time. It took two class periods just for that. Several for the rest. A long project. But fun.
I think however the mache that was on the best parts of the projects for the students.

Great pic of what I added on the backs of all

Mr. P, movement teacher with his whistle!

What this student wrote about their second grade teacher was adorable.

Our custodian, Mr. James. Several were done of him.

Show Case of Stars 2012

Show Case of Stars March 9-11th.

I chose two more works of art from each grade level to be displayed at our county visual and performing arts weekend. The Polenta Treble Makers will be performing Sunday afternoon.

I think our displayed rocks! It is full of color and creativity. I am very proud of my students.
Artist Tools

Fifth Grade

City of Lines

First Grade

One Point Perspective

Fourth Grade

Teacher Monument of Mrs. Daves

Third Grade

Clay Heart

First Grade

Weaving

Fourth

Monument of Assistant Principal Mrs. Jones

Third Grade

Heart Collage

Second Grade

Starry Night in My Community

Second Grade

Crazy Quilt

Second Grade

Ocean Treasures

Fifth Grade

Jim Dine Valentine Painting

First Grade

Artist Tools

Fifth Grade

I Aint Gonna Paint No More

Self Portrait

Kindergarten

One Point Perspective

Fourth

Ocean Treasures

Fifth Grade

Initial Painting

Kindergarten

Jim Dine's Valentines

I have to say I am loving these Jim Dine projects! I totally love everything and anything about February because of Valentine's Day and Jim Dine. Who wouldn't want to create something totally fun and colorful out of hearts! These three lessons were done by second graders and first graders.

Second Grade- Heart Collage

The Heart Collage idea came from Artolazzi blog, http://artolazzi.blogspot.com/2012/01/jim-dine-heart-collage.html. I changed my a lesson just a tad and tried black and white paper for the the background. I am running out of construction paper!!

This lesson took a total of three days.

The first day we painted on colored construction paper. They were to paint one painting of lines as a pattern and the other painting they printed shapes with found objects in the art room.

Next day I had cut their paintings into fours and we all shared. They were to cut four symmetrical hearts and paste them on four rectangles. If there was time we pasted four valentines on a 12x18 sheet of paper.

Next day students added the border with torn scraps. They could add some sequins on top of some of these to make art shiney.

I taped yarn on the back of these I hung up in the hallway.

First Grade Jim Dine Paintings and Heart Clay Medallions

This art lesson I saw in a School Arts Magazine a couple of years ago. These below are bone dry and waiting to get fired in kiln. Next week students will use glaze and I will hang raffia through hole. I did this lesson two years ago and they are beautiful when finished. I will post the entire lesson with finished heart photos.

Snow Flake Banners and Snowy Landscapes

I have to admit I have been slacking off on the blog. My students have been doing such wonderful stuff in the art room and I NEED to share it!

Kirigami Snowflakes

In second grade I always like to do a lesson on symmetry. I go this great lesson from Dali's Moustache,http://dalimoustache.blogspot.com/2011/12/kirigami-snowflake-banners.html. This project took me about 2 to 3 days for the students to complete. Cutting the snowflakes was a bit challenging to them, but I really think it was something learned and remembered. Several told me they went home and made their own.

I hung several in the hall in January with yarn.

Things to remember next time I do this lesson, purchase more liquid glitter! Easier for the students to use and less messy.

This nine weeks with my other set of second graders we will be working on Japanese Notan. Lesson on the balance of light and dark and incorporates symmetry I think as well.

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.....

Robert Frost
This winter lanscape project was a great one. First nine weeks my students did the tint and shade lesson "Ghost Tree". Second Nine weeks I needed a value lesson for this set of third graders.I found this one on another teachers blog, and totally forgot, where. I will found out and post that! I changed mine just a little and used shade too. This lesson also incorporates space as the color gets lighter and shapes get smaller as they go back.

Tint was used in the blue for the snow and shade with green trees.

This lesson took al total of two days. But we were pushing it. Maybe next time Ill take my time and stretch it out.

The paint spatters by far their favorite!!