a lei for you!

Aloha! Today we traveled to Hawaii for Kalei's lesson. After learning some of the language, we were ready to make our own leis for May Day. In this fourth grade lesson, we used watercolor paper with bright colors and cut our flower shapes. After we cut out our watercolor flowers, as well as construction paper flowers, we began constructing our leis.

With a piece of yarn and a bobby pin, we strung on the paper flowers and pieces of cut straws for the stems. We were asked to include at least 24 flowers. After we completed the project we were asked to give our lei to a special person.

An extension for this project could include researching other Hawaiian traditions. After researching a tradition, such as food, activity, dance, or song, the students can then present to the class. A larger extension would be to explore something unique about each of the 50 states.

Have a creative day!
Marissa

coilin' like the egyptians

We had an opportunity to create coil pots like the Egyptians in Kelsey and Ella's lesson for 4th grade students. Their lesson began with two images of pots: one of a pot we would use today on our stoves at home and one from many, many years ago. The class was asked to share the differences they saw between the two kinds of pots. It was explained that the Egyptians, as well as many other cultures, used pottery for many things, such as recording history and sharing messages.

The teachers explained each step of the process to create our pots. With our coils in place, we were to add a symbol or design that represented our culture or life. I added "Proverbs 3:5-6" on one of the top coils of my pot. Just ignore that I forgot the 'S.' Oops!

After the pot dried over night, it was ready to paint! Including one primary and secondary color, I painted my pot with red and purple.

An extension of this activity could include students researching Egyptian culture and creating a poster to go with their pot.  Students could also research the materials the Egyptians used to make their pottery.

Have a creative day!
Marissa

curvy, loopy, swirly

Oh, the places you'll go! Mariah, Amanda, and Cara began their lesson with Dr. Seuss' famous book as an introduction to this abstract 3-D project. The teachers instructed us in creating our own places out of construction paper. After demonstrations of various ways to fold and cut our paper, we used the construction paper at our tables to created a 3-D "town."

My town, "Marapolis" was created with the warm colors of orange, red, and yellow. Another table used cool colors, and another, complimentary colors. We were to include at lease three different kinds of folds and at least a total of seven pieces.

An extension activity could include students writing about the town they live in compared to what it would be like to the town they have created in the 3-D project.

Have a creative day!
Marissa

a railroad print

"Railroad Printmaking" was the title of the seventh grade lesson presented by Allyson, Danielle, and Elizabeth. We learned about the art of printmaking and how it can be done in a variety of ways. Our printmaking was completed by first carving into a small rectangle of Styrofoam. Using a roller, we covered it evenly with paint and pressed it onto a sheet of construction paper.

While the prints were drying, the background for the train car scene was created. With a connection to South Dakota history, the background was supposed to represent something the train cars would pass on their way through our state. Another requirement was that the train cars be carrying a good or product from the state. My train cars were carrying corn.

An extension for this activity could include a variety of South Dakota history activities. Students could also research how the railroad industry affected the establishment of South Dakota towns and other cities around the country.   

Have a creative day!
Marissa

marbled scenery

This week in K-8 Art Methods we did some traveling! Wish that was actually true because that would mean I caught some sun in Australia! Karissa and Jami's lesson for seventh grade students was called "Marbled Sightseeing." Each student was given a sheet with a picture of a famous location. My location was the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia. We copied our contour drawings  and then traced them in black permanent marker before cutting them out.

The first step to the painting portion of this fun project was to cover the bottom of a large pan with shaving cream. After smoothing the shaving cream, three adjacent paint colors from the color wheel were chosen to dribble into the shaving cream. After I used a comb and a wooden stick to create a woven-looking design, it was time to place my drawing in the pan.

I pressed my design into the shaving cream making sure all of it was face down. After pulling up my drawing and wiping away the shaving cream, a marbled design was revealed. After the painting dried, we attached it to construction paper and cut around it for a border.

I saw other sites from students like the Great Wall of China, Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, and many more! An extension activity for this project could include a research presentation of the site the student drew. The painting would be the visual for the presentation to the class.

Have a creative day!
Marissa

a piece to the puzzle

"Hot and Cold Animal Puzzles" is the title to the lesson Chad, Sadie, and Lyndsey taught to us last week. In this 3rd grade lesson, we were each given a puzzle piece and asked to use either warm or cool colors. I was to use warm colors for my project. I followed the example sheet they handed out to draw my fox with red texture. I then used yellow and orange to create my background of geometric squares.

Some of the vocabulary from this lesson included: warm colors, cool colors, patterns, line, and texture.

An extension for this activity may include a writing about the process to make the puzzle or about the new terminology presented to the class. The class could also collaborate to create another puzzle with more similarities. The students could work together to put the puzzle together.

Have a creative day!
Marissa

macramé madness

Last week we made Macramé keychains with Britlyn and Karli. Along with a little history of the practice, the class learned the Macramé technique of knotting hemp string. We each included a minimum of three beads to this 6th grade project. 

I have used embroidery floss with similar techniques, but this was one of my first experiences with using the hemp string. 

An extension activity could include completing more research on the history of Macramé. The students could them compile their research into a Ppt or Prezi Presentation with pictures of their own work.

Have a creative day!

Marissa