Designer Toys

This is one of my (and of course the students!) favorite units of the year. We start off with a provocation where each table in the classroom has a variety of toys that are old and new. The students are to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between all of the toys at their tables. In the end the one thing they all find in common is that all of the toys can move or have moveable parts. They then investigate how toy design has changed over time in order to gather inspiration for their own moveable toy creation. 

 In their sketchbooks, students came up with four different design ideas. They chose their favorite one to develop further by planning out all sides of their final toy including moveable parts and extra materials.

After finishing their design plan, they created a step by step process list of how they would create their toy using their previous knowledge of clay skills. 

The student's final moveable toys are so original and creative, everyone loves the final results! 

Printmaking Patterns

Grade 3 students set off on a wonderful printmaking journey this year by investigating pattern, symbols and space. 

They started by learning the difference between positive and negative space and practiced using their knew knowledge by designing and creating a notan. To plan their ideas they used the worksheet below that I had found on Pinterest.

After practicing manipulating positive and negative space, the students learned about Adrinka symbols and how pattern can have a special meaning. They designed their own special symbol while planning to create a rotational print. In order to see if their symbol would rotate, the students used the iPad app Pic Kids to check if their designs would rotate as planned.

 The students used EZ-Cut printing blocks to create their symbol as a stamp. Before printing, they used oil pastels to color a background that reflected their symbols meaning. Their final prints are absolutely fantastic!

Special Object Paintings

Check out our Visual Arts UOI Board! This helps us to remember and refer back to our current unit of inquiry and what we are focusing on throughout our learning journey.

Grade 3 students just finished their first art unit of the year and here is an example of their section of the board:

Transdisciplinary Theme: Who We Are

Central Idea:  Developing painting skills and understanding color allows us to create 3D forms.

Lines of Inquiry: How composition can effect an art work. How to create tints, tones, and shades. How to use a paintbrush to develop different painting techniques. How to develop an artwork.

Key Concepts: Form, Connection

Focus Artists: Jessica Brilli & Wayne Thiebaud

During the first part of the unit, Grade 3 students discovered contemporary artists Jessica Brilli and Wayne Theibaud. They compared their use of color, shadow, and discussed the special objects they like to paint.

The students then brainstormed personal personal objects that are special to them and brought one item from their list to class during the next art lesson.

They then photographed their special object with their choice of background color while incorporating shadows.

Grade 3 students also did a practice still life drawing of their special object in their sketchbooks while they waited for their photos to be printed!

 

Once their photographs were ready, the students set off on a painting journey! They worked very hard drawing large, mixing colors in order to create value, and adding details to give their special object form. Grade 3 students were extra careful to use a variety of brush sizes while practicing different painting techniques along the way. The final results of their finished canvases are absolutely stunning.