Read, Write, and Sketch The Art Room

Before teaching Visual Arts, I taught First Grade. With that background, I believe that "Word Walls" are a good reference for students when learning new content related vocabulary words. In one of our Art Based Learning Stations, students "Read, Write, and Sketch" the art room including the Visual Arts Word Wall (located on our cabinets due to lack of wall space). The word wall cards that I use came for Teachers Pay Teachers and can be located here and here. In this station, students may use clipboards or the counter to choose four words to read about. They then take notes on the definition provided on the word wall. They then sketch an example of that word.

Kindergarten Calder Inspired Creations

After studying about artist Alexander Calder, Kindergarten students cut out shapes in primary colors and arranged them intuitively on their work. They then created various lines in the background using a ruler. Their works were on display for Open House and Big Art Day.

First Grade Calder Inspired Balloons

First Graders created abstract landscapes with balloons based off of their study of Alexander Calder and his work Balloon 13.

Second Grade Calder Inspired People

Second Graders drew abstract people with various lines and primary colored accents after study the works of artist Alexander Calder. These works were on display for Open House and Big Art Day.

 

Third Grade Alexander Calder Paintings

Third Grade created paintings loosely inspired by artist Alexander Calder. Each student rolled a dice to determine how many circles, wavy lines, and starburst shapes to their work. They then painted the lines black. Once dry, they filled in the rest of the area with primary colors. All of their pieces were displayed together as one large artwork.

Fourth and Fifth Grade Wire Self-Portraits

Fourth and Fifth Graders created colorful wire self-portraits inspired by their study of artist Alexander Calder. Their work was on display for Open House which also happened to be Big Art Day.

Fourth and Fifth Grade Mobiles

Fourth and Fifth Grade students created their own mobiles using hangers and pipe cleaners after learning about artist Alexander Calder. Their mobiles were hung up in the hallway as a large display for Open House and Big Art Day. In the last two pictures you can also see the collaborative paintings that the students worked on as they finished other projects.

Kinder-Third Crazy Line Sculptures

During a study of artist Alexander Calder, Kinder through Third Grade students created crazy line sculptures out of air-dry clay and pipe cleaners. The students displayed these on their homeroom desks for Open House which also happened to be Big Art Day.

Fourth and Fifth Grade: "Spirit of Service"

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., our district has an annual "Spirit of Service" art contest. All fourth and fifth graders participated at the campus level. Three of our students participated at the district level. One fifth grader earned "Second Place" and another earned "Honorable Mention". The individual pictures below are the ones entered into the district contest. The collective pictures are the campus level entries.

 

First, Second, and Third Grade: 'I Have a Dream"

The First, Second, and Third Grade students brainstormed various dreams they have for the future as we learned about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They then drew a self-portrait with a thought bubble to illustrate their dream.

Kindergarten MLK Projects

During our study of Martin Luther King, Jr. the Kindergarten students created overlapping handprints with various skin tones.

Kindergarten Snowmen

First Grade Snowmen

Second Grade Snowmen