Tots on Tour: Elephants

It was a great (and packed) day at Grounds for Sculpture for my two Tots on   Tour sessions. I was a bit surprised because today feels like a day for families to be at the beach or "the shore" as they say in Jersey.

We began by reading 'Elmer' by David McKee

and then dove into creating these awesome elephant paintings.

Every month I do my best to connect the project with a related themed book. It has been one of the best parts of running Tots on Tour for all this time and I've read hundreds of great children's stories.

Elmer is a pretty popular book that is in most classrooms of early elementary level. Art teachers enjoy using tissue paper squares to create the lovable elephant.

I chose to go with a grey elephant and interesting background because it related more to the realistic colors of elephants which was what we were discussing today. We loved the idea of being unique and how special a patchwork elephant is.

I was really happy to see the kids make these elephants their own. One of my frequent students who is a huge shark fan, put the eyes on the ears and before he made mention, I immediately thought his elephant looked like a hammerhead shark. As Picasso said- Every Child is an Artist.

Watching the kids cut and arrange and glue their pieces in creative ways is the best part for me next to how happy they are to have spent the morning and early afternoon creating.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Grade 2: Winter Cardinals

Early last month, the super second graders finished these gorgeous paintings of cardinals. Using the iPads, we viewed cardinals and learned about the types of foods they like to eat. We reflected on how excited we are when we see a red bird fly by-- it's always a cool sight.

                         

We analyzed a cardinal and figured out the many different combinations of simple shapes that make up its body. From there, my lovely students set out to draw their cardinals and built an interesting composition using trees in the backgrounds. 

One of my favorite parts of this lesson is always in the branches. However, this year, I really enjoyed watching my students explore mixing colors to make the scene feel cold. They shared lots of ideas- even among classes- and I think they turned out beautifully!

Keep up the great work 2nd grade!

Grade 3: Toucans

Way to Go!!! Each of my third graders created one of their most amazing art pieces of the year in this project. We learned SO much about toucans, their habitat and what they eat. They also did an incredible job of using oil pastels and paint. The angles on some of these pictures are a bit off because I photographed them while hanging in the display case. Each toucan has so much personality. I love how creative the third graders got in designing the beaks and backgrounds. I can't wait for you to see the rest of the toucans when they are sent home!

Grade 1: Finished Cats

Back in early March I blogged about the start of a cat portrait project that I started with 1st graders. They have been hanging in the hallway for quite some time...here are the finished portraits.
We talked about Paul Klee's "Cat and Bird" painting and had a few giggles discussing the cat sitting there with a bird on top of it's head. My first graders are quite silly so we are matched well.

"Cat and Bird" by Paul Klee

From the original 3/11/2013 post

Grade 5: Pandas

This time of year, I am not in Valentine's mode. Oh no, I am full on Chinese New Year. Well, last year more so but by Chinese New Year (Sun, Feb. 10), I should have at least 3-4 grade levels who have completed a project for Chinese New Year or a piece of art inspired by an Asian artist.

I am really excited for and proud of my fifth graders. They are doing such a nice job of being patient with themselves and drawing lightly as they feel through drawing panda bears.

Ultimately, these drawings will have a painted background.

Check back for finished art

Grade 1: Ice Skating Penguins

First graders are currently learning about penguins in their homerooms so it is a perfect time to draw them in art! We talked about penguin facts and their habitats. We viewed where different types of penguins live on the world map and even observed penguins on the Smart Board at Sea World via a live cam.

We worked to assemble our penguin drawings by combining simple, geometric shapes as the foundation. We added smooth lines to connect our shapes and added fun, cartoon style accessories. Here are the projects that are almost done.

5th grade: Pandas and Bamboo

The 5th graders are doing a fantastic job with their panda and bamboo paintings. Students started off drawing a panda from a reference photo making changes as they deemed fit. Next, they copied their individual drawings on to rice paper. Next up was to practice painting bamboo and getting comfortable with the bamboo brushes. 
Students then painted bamboo around their pandas in ink and filled in their pandas with ink.
We will add a Chinese character to polish off these paintings since the kids really love the simple printmaking process.