Sometimes when kids make outdoor scenes I notice what I call "Lollypop Trees" and "Doorknob Trees". This lesson helps kids think about what trees really look like and was designed by Mary Krench of Snyder Elementary. She showed it to me when I student taught there many moons ago. It's a great lesson because it helps kids think about what trees really look like and the parts of a tree: trunk, roots, branches, sticks, leaves, etc.
The idea is to start with the letter Y. At the end of the Y, make two smaller Y's. At the end of those, make smaller Y's. You get the idea. The y's get smaller and smaller. Then we add groups of leaves using impressionist style dabs of color. It's a lot easier than trying to draw and paint each individual leaf.
I like this project because it gives students something specific to do, yet each autumn landscape turns out very different.
Here are a few of the finished skyscraper drawings that I promised I'd show you. It's the time of year when markers are starting to run out. I don't know if you know about this trick, but when Crayola markers go dry, you can dip them in water and they work for quite a bit longer.
You get some interesting, lighter variations of some of the color. Also, you get your money's worth out of the markers before you throw them out!
One of the works of art we are studying through our Picturing America grant is the architecture of the Chrysler building. What kinds of shapes can you find in the building? There are geometric shapes, as well as plant and animal shapes. The building is Art Deco style architecture, and some of the details remind us of Egyptian design. The wing shape is a replica of a 1929 radiator cap. One ornamental frieze incorporates a band of hubcaps. (More discussion questions here).
After discussing this artwork, students are ready to design their own skyscrapers. We are using templates to make some of the geometric shapes.
Some students are adding some of their own details freehand, like gargoyles projecting from the buildings.
First graders had a good time hearing this story (and singing along!) You might thing you know If You're Happy and You Know it, but this is the Jungle Edition! After singing, we made drawings and paintings inspired by the book.
First graders made maps of their own Dinosaur Islands. They used rubber stamps of dinosaurs to show which dinosaurs live where on their island. They colored with colored pencil.
