Lacey Clay Ornaments: Ms. Jorgenson X 2

For this project, we were introduced to the history of lace.  We seen several different lace patterns.  After discussing the history, we drew out own idea for an ornament.  After we drew our design, we taped wax paper over the top of it.  We all had a small bag of clay that we worked at to get it hard.  After it was hard enough, we cut a tiny hole in one corner and squeezed the clay out over the shape.  It had to be large enough to stay hard and not break.  Once we had our ornaments done.  We chose warm or cool colors and painted the ornaments.  We had to incorporate a shade or tint.  I used warm colors and mixed yellow and white together to create a light pastel yellow.  Finally, we tie ribbon around it to hang when it dries.

For an extension activity, I would have the students make pottery out of clay.  This would be another art project but we could also discuss the first civilizations to use pottery. 

Stepping Stones: Ms. Kronin and Ms. Eikamp

For this activity, our teachers introduced us to crafts and creating stepping stones out of cement.  In the center we had a picture we had brought to class that was laminated.  This was to prevent the picture from getting worn from weather.  We discussed different principles and elements of art, including unity, balance, and pattern.  In this I incorporated unity by placing my picture directly in the middle.  It is the focal point of the project.  Afterwards, I created a pattern of green rocks on the sides and red on the top and bottom.  Then I used different colored rocks and placed them all around my picture. We poured cement in a plastic tray and had to shuffle it around to keep the water bubbles out.  We placed the picture in the middle afterwards and pressed down firmly so it would stay in place and not pop up.  We did the same with our rocks.  An extension activity for this project would be to discuss research how cement is made and how it goes from a liquid to a solid.

Scratch Art: Mr. Kiefer & Ms. Bruemmer

For this activity, we first went over some vocabulary important to this topic.  We then were shown differnet ways of scratching to create different looks.  For mine I chose to cross-scratch which is lines going opposite ways.  I also chose straight lines and small dots to create different looks.  We were each given a shape and from the shape we had to incorporate a picture.  I had a triangle and created a yield sign on a road.  This project was fun because we did not know what color we were getting until we started scratching.  Afterwards, we pasted our scratch art onto construction paper.
An extension activity for this project would be to have the students write a poem on their scratch art.  They would create a little story describing what they drew.

Print It: Ms. Vetch & Ms.Opsahl

For this project, Ms. Opsahl and Ms. Vetch taught inspired us by the book, "Easter Egg Farm."  After reading the story we designed our own egg on a piece of paper.  We then imprinted the design on a meat tray.  Afterwards we soaked the trays in paint and put them on paper.  For this project, we used printmaking paint.  We had to firmly pat down on the meattray to make sure the entire shape had set.  We tested it by pulling up a small corner.  We chose four different colors to use.  Afterwards, we pasted them down on construction paper.

An extension activity we could use would be to discuss eggs.  We could research what animals come in an egg and such.

Pebble Painting: Ms. Trautner and Ms. Weikamp

For this project, Ms. Weikamp and Ms. Trautner introduced us to a different approach to painting.  We read a book about shapes, and then we were given a shoe box.  We put a dab of paint inside the box and a small, medium, or large rock.  We then shook the box as much as we wanted to create a design.  We also had to use 2 primary colors to create a secondary color.  I used red and blue and created dark purple.  Afterwards, we cut a shape out of the paper and glued them down. 

For an extension activity, the students could study the perimeter and areas of the shapes.  They could record this and graph it as a class, comparing each other's shapes.

Rainbow Fish Collage: Ms. Anderson & Ms. DesLauriers

For this lesson, we had the student's create a collage in the form of a fish.  We started off by introducing them to the book "The Rainbow Fish."  This was the motiviation for their activity.  The students then drew a fish of their choice.  We showed them the process for creating a collage look by tearing up paper and overlapping it.  We let the children use whatever colors they wanted, and we had them explain what the colors were, warm, cool, or both.  The students glued this down and then cut the fish out.  They were able to use tissue paper, feathers, beads, sequins, and tinfoil to decorate their fish. 

An extension activity for this project would be to talk about fish.  Children could research different fish and explain the parts of a fish on a diagram.

This is the bulletin board Ms. Anderson and myself created.  We wanted the bulletin board to look like the ocean with different tropical fish.  We used tissue paper to create the look of ocean, also giving it a 3D sense. 

POP Art: Ms. Katzenburger & Ms. Mammenga

For this project, Ms. Katzenburger and Ms. Mammenga introduced us to Andy Warhol and pop art.  Andy created several of the same pictures, only with different color schemes for eachone.  This is what we were to do our project on, but we were in groups, so our pictures went with the others in our group.  We decided as a group an object to draw.  My group chose a coffee cup.  We all schetched this and then we chose a warm, cool, or monochromatic color scheme.  I chose to use a monochromatic color scheme because I felt this was very unique.  We shaded with our finger to create the lighter colors.  Afterwards, we presented our projects to the class.
An extension activity I would do with this project would be to research Andy Warhol and write a brief biography on him.

Paper Weaving: Ms. Thorne & Ms. Jundt

This art project was taught by Ms. Jundt and Ms. Thorne.  They introduced us to art weaving.  For this project you need thick tagboard or cardboard, newpapers strips, paint, and other materials to decorate.  We learned how to weave the paper around the cardboard.  We had to tape strips going one way across the paper.  Then, we taped paper down going a different direction.  We twisted then up and under each other.  After we created the actual weave, we painted the background with warm or cool colors.  I chose to use warm colors.  We were to use a shade or tint in the project, so I used a tint of yellow on the background.  Afterwards, we painted the strips of the paper.  I would have loved to paint all of my strips, but I did not have enough time.  I then used glitter on my strips to create a sparkley look to it.
An extension activity for this project would be for children to research weaving and where it started.  They could write a short paper on it, and put this with their project.

Hidden Safari

I was super excited for this project because I couldn't believe we could actually create something like this!  As easy as the project was, I was engaged the entire time.  We started out drawing a safari animal of our choice.  We used a cool color colored pencil to draw the animal.  We then added warm colors in different shapes all over the project.  We created the shapes in patters so everything was repeating.  This hid the animal.  Afterwards, we used our ruby red glasses that we created in class to see the animal.  I know students of all ages would enjoy projects like this, and I can not wait to be able to do this project as a teacher.
An extension activity I think that you could perform with this would be to research the animal the child wanted to use.  For instance, I did a zebra.  I would research about the zebra and give an individual presentation on this animal.

Starry Night Finger Painting

This activity was inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's painting "A Starry Night." I was very excited to perform this activity because we were able to finger paint our project.  I really did not think I could create such a neat picture with just my fingers.  We learned several techniques to create the different looks we were going for on this project.  I really like Vincent Van Gogh's painting, so I wanted to draw my own.  I thought it would be cool to compare his to mine. 
An extension activity the students could do along with this is create a picture that tells a story.  In doing this, they would have to write a short 2 page paper on their picture, explaining their painting.