Abstract Clay Tiles

This unit was one of my favorite units to teach this year! Grade 2 students investigated abstract art, artists, color, texture, and shape to express an emotion of their choice. Here is was what we inquired into during art classes...

Transdisciplinary Theme: How We Express Ourselves 
Central Idea: Expression can be abstract.  
Lines of Inquiry & Key Concepts: Artists choose certain colors, shapes, and textures to portray different emotions and feelings. (Connection) Audiences have their own point of view and make different connections to colors, shapes, and textures. (Perspective) Artists reflect on their technique and self-management skills to determine when artworks are the best they can be. (Reflection) 
Focus Artists: Wassily Kandinsky and Frank Stella

The students were introduced to this unit through a provocation discussion regarding the difference between Abstract and Realistic art. A range of artworks, examples, and photographs were set up at different tables and students discussed the similarities and differences between the art pieces. This was a great way to get students comparing and contrasting and also to assess students' prior knowledge. At the end of the discussion the students were able to describe the difference between realism and abstraction.

In the next lesson, the students were exposed to a variety of music and painted abstractly using lines, colors, and shapes according to how the music made them feel.

 The students then learned about the Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky and his love of music and art. They enjoyed watching this short video to learn more about his life as an artist and musician. We also read the book "The Noisy Paint Box" by Barb Rosenstock for further inspiration.

The following week, the students explored and discussed art works by contemporary artist Frank Stella. They enjoyed comparing Kandinsky and Stella's work, and used these artists ideas to start organizing their thoughts on how certain lines, shapes, and colors make them feel.

The students then started designing in their sketchbooks an idea for a final clay piece. They focused on an emotion of their choice and the lines, colors, shapes and textures that could reflect that feeling.

Once their ideas were planned, we began creating with clay! The student's created two versions of their abstract clay tile. One was taken home and one was used as a permanent mural installed within the school. Creating two tiles was a great way for reflection and peer feedback throughout the creative process. The students were very impressed and proud of their beautiful abstract work!

Texture Monsters

At the beginning of the school year the focus for P1 students is learning about and experimenting with the elements of art, then using that knowledge throughout the rest of the year to inform their work.

This lesson was started after the students played a short game involving different textures. I had a box filled with different materials and labels on the classroom carpet with words like "soft" "hard" "rough" or "bumpy". The students took turns taking an item from the box and deciding which texture word it fit with best.

After our game and discussing how each item felt, I began demonstrating what visual texture is by using a textured plate and rubbing it with crayons. The students practiced doing this multiple times in their classroom sketchbooks as seen below:

When the students finished their texture rubbings, we met back on the carpet and read the book Where The Wild Things Are. As we were reading together, I would stop and ask the students what kinds of textures they could imagine with the different monsters throughout the story.

After reading and discussing the variety of imaginative monsters, the students worked in their sketchbooks to create their own creature with a variety of line and visual texture using crayons, markers, and textured plates.

Here are a few examples of their finished textured monsters. I love the creative results!

Texture Projects

I recently introduced the art element of texture to my Kindergarten classes. I began by passing around different items (cotton, sand paper, etc.) and we discussed how each different item felt. I then described how in art there are two types of texture, actual and visual.

For our first project we worked with visual texture. The students used plastic textured templates to rub with crayons underneath their paper. They were so excited as the patterns became visible. I also encouraged them to use as many different colors as possible and cover all of the white spaces on their papers.

The next part of this project I actually saw via Pinterest, and it really worked out great with the students. I passed out small pieces of clay that were to be rolled into balls. The students then pressed them into their plastic templates to see and feel the texture. We then glued the clay onto the papers. It was really an awesome way for the kids to see both actual and visual textures. 

For our next project, I wanted to start using more clay. At the beginning of class I read the book The Mitten by Jan Brett. We talked about each animal and how it would feel. My favorite animal in that book is the hedgehog, and what a great animal to discuss with texture! 

I demonstrated for the students how to roll and pinch the bodies of their clay hedgehogs. Eyes and toothpicks were then pressed in. During the second class, we painted them. I absolutely love how each one looks so different! 

                       

Both my students and myself loved this project. They are hilarious! 

Kindergarten Dinosaurs

This project worked out great for my Kindergarten students. It took two class periods and we had so much fun! Before starting the dinosaur part of this activity, we began by reviewing the secondary color green.

In order to review, I read the book "Green" by Laura Vaccaro Seeger to the class. The students loved the pictures as we went through the story.

After I read the book and we discussed the pictures, students were sent to their seats to mix green on their papers. They painted their whole page yellow first, then mixed blue on the top to make green. Even though this was a review, I heard so many "oo's" and "ahh's" as their papers changed color.

The students then used plastic forks to scratch in some texture to their paint. There was a lot of giggling going on while using cutlery instead of brushes!

During the second class period, students used pre-cut dinosaur templates to trace on top of their green painted papers. They cut out their dinosaur and created a background by cutting colored construction paper. Many students added volcanoes, palm trees, and other creative ideas to their pictures.     



I really enjoyed this lesson for Kindergarten students. So many important concepts were practiced and they had a lot of creative freedom. And who doesn't love dinosaurs?