I just added 24 new art lessons for grades K – 5! This is the first year in my district to teach art to Kindergarten as well!
They have been added to the bottoms of each page under each grade level page (see under menu options). Lessons include steps, photos, and learning goals.
These are the new lessons added:
Kindergarten
Paper diffusing leaves w/ marker and water
Leaf rubbings w/ textured frame
Bugs in a jar
“Little cloud “ inspired by Eric Carle
Organic and geometric shapes Robot
1st grade
Fall tree drawing
Lines makes shapes “house”
Sunflower drawing inspired by Vincent Van Gogh
2nd grade
April showers brings May flowers
Pumpkin tinfoil prints
Owls at night
Snowman in perspective
Superhero masks
3rd grade
3D heart
Sunflowers inspired by Vincent Van Gogh
Spider monkey inspired by Frida Kahlo
4th grade
Patterned pumpkin with oil pastel
Dotted leaf paintings inspired by Brandon Rollin
Spooky eyeball drawings
Symmetrical name creature
Box of chocolates
Tiger paintings inspired by Henri Rousseau
5th grade
Finish the picture
A love yourself drawing
Please follow our art room adventures …(well, more like art on a cart for one of my schools!) AND
@mammalovespeaches on Instagram! Thanks for following! More to come!
This lesson idea is from art teacher Lauralee Chambers @2art.chambers on Instagram
This was such a fun lesson to teach my 5th graders! It took about (3) 40 minute art classes to complete.
DAY 1
We discussed how we would be utilizing the elements of Art; Line, Shape, Color, Texture, and Value to create these paintings.
I gave students a double-sided sheet of various paintbrush drawings to use as a reference while drawing their paintbrushes.
Students drew at least 6 large paintbrushes on 12×18” 80# paper with pencil. In their drawings I asked that the following be included ; at least 2 of the brushes had to overlap one another, at least 2 be drawn diagonally, and at least 1 drawn so the bristles pointed downward. Students could add also their own brush details within the handles.
Once all drawn in pencil, students traced over their pencil lines with an ultra fine point black sharpie. I showed students how to use the straight edge of a scrap piece of paper to keep their sharpie lines for the bristles from going into their paintbrush handles.
DAY 2
Students finished drawing if needed, then used a black oil pastel to draw a thick line along only one side of each brush. Only on all the brushes left sides or only on all the brushes right sides. Then using one finger gently smudge the oil pastel going in the same direction to create a shadow.
DAY 3
On the final day students used watercolors to create the splatter effect. I showed them how to use a watercolor brush to apply the paint only halfway up each brush towards the tips, and then add only water on the ends a little to dilute the color and help spread the paint where it meets the paper. Then using a medium sized tempera brush, they dipped into the same paint color and then flicked the bristles close to their papers to splatter. They also used the watercolor brush to splatter paint as well by shaking it or tapping their brush handle against another one.
I absolutely LOVE how they all came out and students had a lot of fun creating them!
This lesson took about (4) 40 minute art classes to complete.
On day 1 I discussed with students the many different art careers out there available, then showed them a great video on all the different art related careers out there someone could do for inspiration for this lesson. I wish I could just post the video i showed my students for you here, but for some reason it wont let me embed the video from YouTube. If you search ”MHRD – Careers in Art” you can watch it there.
After the video students were shown a huge variety of various contemporary artists in my Google slides. Then, using their laptops, students logged into my art classroom in Google, and were able to review the slides of artists. Each slide showed 1-3 photos of their artwork, and a small description of the kind of artwork they created. I hyperlinked the photo of the artist to either their blog, their website, an article, or to Wikipedia about the artist.
From there, students took some time researching artists that intrigued them, then selected one artist to focus on.
Days 2-4 were spent thinking about that artists style, and/or what materials they used to create their art with and draw a picture related to and inspired by that artists work. Students looked at ceramicists, photographers, painters, illustrators, fashion designers, interior designers, architects, graphic designers, animators, installation artists, jewelers, video game designers, weavers etc. I also wanted to make sure I included just as many female artists as male artists and to include artists from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
Students then drew using pencil, colored pencils, markers and/or crayons.
On the final day, students filled out a sheet with questions on why they chose that artist and what facts they learned about their chosen artist. Students did such an amazing job on researching independently, and coming up with their own creations and drawing artwork inspired by their chosen artist! Students really enjoyed this lesson and I’m hoping doing this lesson will inspire them to research and learn about additional artists on their own time. I wish I took more photos of their artwork, but check out some of their work below!
This lesson took ( 2 ) 40 minute art classes to create.
Students learned about the artist Charles McGee and we discussed his artwork. We discussed how we’d be utilizing the elements of art, line, shape, and form to create our sculptures. Then students received a sheet of copy paper with 4 lines pre-drawn and photocopied for the class.
Then using a black sharpie marker, students drew a different pattern in each section, creating 5 sections.
Then on day 2, students cut out each section with scissors.
Students then flipped over each strip, and folded back the ends. They then glued the flaps with a glue stick and positioned the flaps on a piece of 8×8” white cardstock paper and pressed for 5 seconds. Students could place each strip wherever they wanted creating height by placing the flaps closer together, and then gluing on other sections on top of previous ones. They had a lot of fun creating these fun and interesting sculptures!
This fun flower lesson was created for my special education class. It’s a 2 day lesson and the materials needed were 3 coffee filters, watercolors, cupcake liners, pipe cleaners, glue sticks, tape and a paper straw.
First students wet the coffee filters down with water using a big paint brush. This allowed the coffee filter to lay flat and also helps absorb and spread drops of paint.
Students then used watercolor paint to paint on various colors of their choice over the entire coffee filter. These 3 filters were then set aside to dry.
On the second day, the filters were folded in half and students drew “bumps” all around the edge to create the petals. Each filter was cut a little smaller than the previous one. Then students glued each opened filter together in the center with a glue stick. A cupcake liner was then glued into the center of their flower. Then using a pipe cleaner, students created a spiral by bending and shaping with their hands. This spiral was then glued into the cupcake liner with a glue stick.
For the final piece, students chose their colored straw and taped it to the back of the coffee filters for the stem.
I never would have thought this is how the school year would end, and I’m sure all you teachers out there (AND PARENTS!!) thought the same.
Our official last day of school was Monday June 22nd. Going into school on June 10th wearing a mask and gloves, to close out out my classroom for the summer and sort through supplies felt so surreal. It was like walking into a time capsule from that last day we were all there on Friday March 13th. Unfinished projects were still in the drying rack, my examples were still up on the board for the following day, and notes to myself on my desk were still there for the following week of March.
BUT….. we made it through! We all figured it out, and I’m very proud of my students and how they rose to the challenge with remote learning.
Here are the final “Art Shout Outs” from learning remotely during these past 3+ months of school closure. As well as a few pics from the last day of school’s 5th grade clap out celebration!
GRADES K-2 ELEMENTARY VISUAL ART ACTIVITIES: I CAN CREATE WITH: STICKS!
In this Google slide, students could watch a 6 minute video on the book “STICKS” written and illustrated by Diane Alber.
If you’ve never read this story to your students or kids, I highly recommend it. I have and love, many of her books. Her stories are great and help open up discussions about empathy, kindness, perseverance, and fitting in.
Amazon writes; “Sticks is a story that almost anyone can relate to. It’s about finding yourself in a situation that didn’t turn out like you expected and having your friends and family help you find he courage to pick yourself back up and persevere.”
Next to the video, we added 6 different photos of artwork created using popsicle sticks. From dragonflies, to rainbows and clouds, to bird feeders and people, animals and airplanes… kids were encouraged to create whatever they wanted, using sticks!
Below are some screen shots taken from a video sent to me from one of my 2nd grade students! He designed a really cool plane and decorated the sticks and paper for wings with markers.
Nick created this super sweet popsicle stick rainbow with clouds below!
Artwork by Nick D.
GRADES 3-5 ELEMENTARY VISUAL ART ACTIVITIES: I CAN CREATE MY OWN ART MATERIALS AND USE THEM TO PRODUCE ARTWORK
So for this slide, we included a 2 minute video link to watch the “science of art materials” to give kids a better understanding on how art materials are made, a simple recipe on how to make your own air dry clay, and then 3 short videos; how to paint with mud, paint with coffee, and how to make your own sidewalk chalk from home!
Students loved experimenting with creating their own art materials!
Sam D. Created some cool paint by letting skittles dissolve in water! Owen R. Created his own coffee paint! Brielle R. Created her own coffee paint as well!Kelsey S. used mud for painting!
GRADES K-2 ELEMENTARY VISUAL ART ACTIVITIES: SUMMER FUN! SELECT ONE TO COMPLETE: ICE PAINTING, DRAW AN ICE CREAM CONE, CREATE YOUR OWN AIRPLANE!
For this slide we included the following; a 50 second video on ice cube painting, how to draw an ice cream cone in 9 simple steps, and a short video on how to make a paper airplane. This was the last week of art activity suggestions, and we wanted to keep it really simple, fun and summery!
Ice Cream by Praneeth J. An assortment of ice cream treats by Sofia D.Mint Ice Cream by Nick D. Ice Cream by Anthony B.
Praneeth sent me another fun video on how he created his airplane and also a super fun slow-mo video on his plane and his brothers plane flying! Below are some screen shots taken from that video.
Airplane by Praneeth J.
GRADES 3-5 ELEMENTARY VISUAL ART ACTIVITIES: ARTIST’S CHOICE! SELECT ONE TO COMPLETE! POINT OF VIEW LANDSCAPE, RE-DESIGN A LOGO, OR TAKE A VIRTUAL TOURAT THE MET.
Point of view landscape- draw what you see when you look out your window! We included a pic of a landscape drawing as well as a seascape drawing in this google slide as examples.
Below is a drawing Taylor sent me of her viewpoint looking out her window to her back yard!
Point of view landscape artwork by Taylor M.
Re-design a Logo; We posted 7 different logos to look at in this section of the slide for ideas. Kids had the option of selecting one of those 7, or select one of their own, and to change the colors, image or font!
LOGO RE-DESIGN BY SAM D. LOGO RE-DESIGN BY PRANEETH J. LOGO RE-DESIGN BY JACOB B. LOGO RE-DESIGN BY JORDAN R. LOGO RE-DESIGN BY BRIELLE R. LOGO RE-DESIGN BY KELSEY S.
Although I have no art to show for this art activity suggestion, the last activity choice was to go online and take a virtual tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for kids. Kids were asked to “hop in the time machine” for some interesting art exploration! Click on the link to check it out!
More lovely art sent to me from my students!
Artwork by McKenna Y. Artwork by Katie L. Artwork by Maggie S. Chalk art by Sofia D.
And now for a few pics from the last day of school “5th grade clap out celebration”! …
To those of you reading this that aren’t teachers, students or parents from the North Attleboro school district, normally on the last day of school we line up the hallways inside the school, and all the 5th graders walk down the hall while teachers and staff clap, cheer and hi-five the kids to celebrate their last day at the school. Of course with Covid-19 and social distancing, that had to change. So all the teachers and staff lined up outside the school, 6 feet apart, wearing masks, while families drove by as we all cheered and clapped. It felt so nice to have positive closure for such a bizarre year. And of course it was so nice to see my 5th graders one more time before the school year was over. I’ll miss them!! If any of you guys are reading this, I wish you all the best of luck!! Keep creating, and please stay in touch!
Unfortunately, I forgot to snap pics at Amvet but managed to remember to pull out my phone at Roosevelt later that morning! Some pics below were taken by other staff as well.
Pic above taken behind the school at Roosevelt. Cars all parked here after the clap out to receive awards, t-shirts and yearbooks. (above) The sign I made for the 5th grade celebration Teachers signs for the 5th grade celebrationAmvet staff
I’m excited summer break is here, as I’m sure all of you are too!!
GRADES K-2 ELEMENTARY VISUAL ART ACTIVITIES: I CAN CREATE A COLOR WHEEL!
After watching a short “how to” video, students were asked to create a color wheel using found objects (anything they could find) in their house.
A Color wheel of cars! So Fun!
GRADES 3-5 ELEMENTARY VISUAL ART ACTIVITIES: I CAN CREATE A VALUE SCALE!
Students watched a short 2 min. video on the element of art VALUE, then watched another 1 minute video on how to create a value scale using objects. Then were asked to create their own value scale using objects from around the house. Students could stick to a black and white theme, or use a color to create an “Ombré ‘” effect!
GRADES K-2 ELEMENTARY VISUAL ART ACTIVITIES: I CAN DRAW OR BUILD MY OWN “DREAM HOUSE”!
Students watched a short video on the book The Big Orange Splot for some fun inspiration, then drew or built their own dream house. Students did a fantastic job creating some very unique homes! Using Legos was not surprisingly a popular choice! I love how students sent me photos with a variety of angles and one of my students sent me a video explaining their design plans for their home!
These pics above are screen shots taken from his video explaining all the creative areas in his house! I loved it Owen!!
GRADES 3-5 ELEMENTARY VISUAL ART ACTIVITIES: I CAN REPRESENT MYSELF USING OBJECTS!
Students were asked to find 3 or more objects that represent them and things they like, put them all together, then draw or photograph them as a still life composition. Students could include themselves if they wanted to as well! I learned so much about my students through this project and it was so nice to see their smiling faces! (AND their pups!)
GRADES K-2 ELEMENTARY VISUAL ART ACTIVITIES: I CAN EXPLORE TEXTURE!
After watching 2 short videos, students were asked to explore nature outside, or items from around the house for different types of texture, then create a texture rubbing using the side of a crayon or pencil.
GRADES 3-5 ELEMENTARY VISUAL ART ACTIVITIES: I CAN CREATE ROCK ART FOR EARTH DAY!
With a variety of painted rocks to look at for inspiration and after watching a short video about rocks (different types and how they are formed), students were asked to find some to either paint or draw on with crayons or markers, then were encouraged to hide them outside for others to discover!
I love how this student below painted positive, uplifting messages on them!
Check out the detailed designs and patterns on these!
Beautiful and carefully painted underwater scene! Rocks with fun expressive faces! I love the addition of hair!panda rock!
More AWESOME artwork below, that my students emailed mefrom home!
Olivia and her brother Lucas used chalk spray to graffiti around the house! I LOVE it!! And what a cool mom to let them do that!!
Below was a 2nd grade lesson (“Abstract Self-Portraits”) that unfortunately some of my 2nd grade classes weren’t able to finish at school due to Covid-19. So Sofia (2nd grade) created one at home!! I was so happy to see this! I LOVE how it came out and the background is so vibrant!!!! (to find out more about this lesson, click on “2nd Grade Art Lessons” under the main menu of this site)
Another parent shared with me on how much they loved this lesson and wanted to create one at home! These 2 photos below were created by Maggie (2nd grade) (Awesome work!) but they’re still trying to decide which photo works the best before gluing things down. I love BOTH! but if anyone has any suggestions they’d like to share, please do! Do you have a favorite?
How COOL are these?!! Painting on egg shells! Art by Sofia (2nd grade) and Nick (1st grade)
This was another art lesson all my 1st grade classes never got to do this year, due to the COVID-19 school closure, (“Hot Air Balloon“). I LOVE how Nick’s home creation came out though!!! Full of colorful patterns and texture!
Sofia and Nick (brother and sister) have been busy creating A TON of awesome art at home! I was so happy to see all their amazing creations!! See more of their art below!
This beautiful painting below was created at home, by one of my 2nd grade students, Maggie! I LOVE the texture and movement!! It is so BEAUTIFUL Maggie!
Bryce created this awesome detailed chalk Mosaic with his mom at his house!!
More fun chalk art below by sister’s Jordan and Reagan!
Callen (2nd grade) (below) created some really cool worry stones out of clay, a stress ball made from flour and a balloon, and a calm down jar! Excellent art activities during this time for sure! And I see his “winter bears in sweaters” drawing project up on the cabinet behind him we did in art class! : )
Shaun (4th grade) drew an awesome doctor and a dog below!! Excellent drawings Shaun!
Olivia (1st grade) sent me these beautiful paintings of a sea turtle and fox below! I love how she added some glitter for texture and sparkle and how the bubbles are painted darker blue to stand out from the background. Excellent work Olivia!
Riley (4th grader) created this awesome birthday poster for her friend Drew below and wanted to share! Excellent work creating a silhouette of Drew!
Katie (2nd grade) drew this super cute panda below and wanted to share with me! Excellent drawing Katie!
Below is a drawing AJ (3rd grade) made of what he thought Rumpelstiltskin looked like, after listening to the story via Google hangouts with his 3rd grade teacher! You can tell AJ listened carefully to all the visual descriptions! Great work!
Alexandria (4th grade) painted this awesome eye below!
Praneeth (2nd grade) did some careful coloring in on these two coloring pages below!
Excellent work everybody and thank you for sharing!! Keep on creating!
With remote learning well underway, I thought I’d share the artwork students have been emailing me while creating art from home!
I, along with the two AMAZING elementary art teachers in my district (Kim and Sarah YOU ROCK!), have been collaborating on creating weekly art activity suggestions for our students. One weekly art activity suggestion for grades K-2 and one weekly art activity suggestion for grades 3-5.
I’ve gotten a bunch of artwork via email from my students. Awesome work guys! Keep creating!
Some artwork below was created using one of our art activity suggestions for inspiration and some they came up with on their own.
Students below created some excellent positivity posters to hang in their windows in their homes. This was one of the 3-5 art activity suggestions “I can design: A Kindness Poster!”Create a positive motivational poster to send encouragement to others in the world around you. Then, display your poster where you live. You might even hang it in a window to send a positive message to others!”
Here are some sculptures made from nature inspired by the artist Andy Goldsworthy! This was one of the 3-5 art activity suggestions “I can create: A Sculpture made from nature”Go on a nature scavenger hunt and collect natural materials. Arrange them in a symmetrical design. Take a photo and show off your design!
This was one of the K-2 art activity suggestions “I can Build: A Robot Using Recycled Materials”Create a shape robot using any cardboard you are able to use. Cereal boxes and cracker packaging work well!
Below are some aliens students created. This was one of the K-2 art activity suggestions “I can Create: Draw your own alien”What shape is the body of the alien? How many eyes does your alien have? Does your alien have scales, fur, or something else? What name would you give it?
This student created a cool 3D alien from materials around the house!This student had fun creating their alien from clay and pipe cleaners!
Below are from one of the K-2 art activity suggestions “I Can Create: Draw a picture of how you would look at age 75?”
These two students used a variety of materials creatively to create themselves at 75!
Below are two students that drew along with me in my YouTube video on “How to Draw 2 Dogs on a Hill”! Nice work!!!
Here’s some more artwork students created!
I will be adding more student artwork very soon!
Students: If you would like to share anything you have created at home please send them to me! I’d love to see it and will post it here on my blog! Email me at mfilmore@naschools.net