Bishop's Blackboard: An Elementary Education Blog

Artist Quotes Stations

One of the Art Based Stations that third through fifth grade may choose to work on when they finish work early or on Fridays is an Artist Quotes Station. In this station, the students choose a quote by a historically famous artist. On a template provided, they write the artist name followed by the quote. Once they have completed their notes section, they discuss with their table group and write down what they think the quote means. This station was created to get the students talking about artists and to promote critical thinking. The cards that I use can be found here and here from Teachers Pay Teachers. I printed them two per page to minimize the size.

Artist Research Station

On most Fridays, the students work in Art Based Learning Stations. One of the stations is Artist Research Writing. In this station, the students choose an artist to read about. The artist cards that I provide are from Teachers Pay Teachers and can be found here. There are several sets of these available. After reading, the students write key facts about their artist on a Thinking Map, typically a Circle Map. They then use the Circle Map to help them write sentences to summarize the information read about the artist.

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.