First week of School

First week down! The first week back is always a busy one but we are already off to a great start. I decided this year to start off all the grade levels with the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds.

 I have always used it to start off kindergarten but I really want to make International Dot Day more of a school wide celebration. I want to encourage all my students to just try and to let them know that they are all artists. I love the meaning behind the book and it goes right along with my expectations for my classroom.

 I am going to have all my students create different kinds of artwork using circles or dots and use them to liven up the hallways. I am already planning my outfit for Dot Day :) and I would love to get them all involved too and encourage them to wear polka dots on that day. (That's my dream)

So here are some of the projects that we are working on...

I introduced first grade to Kandinsky showing them examples of his artwork. we discussed how he used color, line, and shape to create his paintings.

Then, I gave them each a 12 by 12 inch paper that we folded into fourths together. They opened them back up and drew concentric circles in each of the four sections. I had them take crayons to outline the pencil lines. We used tempera cakes (which I love!) to paint in each of the circles with different colors.

When I go to display them, I want to connect them together so that it looks like a large version of Kandinsky's Color Study, Squares with Concentric Circles.

With Fifth Grade, I wanted to connect it to the book but also use this project to review the Elements of Art. I also introduced them to the Op Art movement. 

They also began with a 12 by 12 inch paper. I talked to them about linear perspective (which we worked on in fourth grade so it was also a review). I told them they needed to start off with a dot on the paper which they could put anywhere. Then they had to draw ten lines going out to the edge of the paper. Then I showed them some samples of ways to do the next step. They could color the sections in an AB pattern. Or for more interest, they could make curved lines going on direction in the A sections and then make the curved lines go the other way in the B sections. Then they spaces could be colored in like a checkerboard. (My students are the greatest! I had so many take this and go into so many other directions too that I haven't even thought of. They were all so different. I love when that happens!) 

Next, we reviewed shape and form. I demonstrated how to use value to change circles into spheres. I have a class set of  SafeT compasses in my classroom which I love. The students think they are really neat too (once they get the hang of them)

I had them choose a construction paper color that would stand out against their background. They had to make at least five circles of different sizes using their compass. We talked about value and shading with colored pencils to turn the circles into spheres and used the element of space to determine where we should put the spheres once they were cut out. The smaller ones went closer to the dot they started with and the larger ones we closer to the edge of the paper. They were all very successful with this project and it is definitely one that I would do again. 

I will post more Dot Day lessons soon:)