Model Magic Snowmen

Kindergarten used model magic to make little snowmen! I love doing this project with the little ones. They learn about size by stacking the 3 spheres from biggest to smallest. Students chose a primary color to color in their hats/hair, and then found the compliment for the scarf. They loved it!

Artist: n/a

Elements: Shape, Color, Texture, Space

Concepts: Complimentary Color, Size, Rolling a sphere, Sculpting

Materials: Model Magic, Black Sharpie Marker, Primary colored Markers, Brown Pipe Cleaners, Secondary colored Ribbon

Mouse Paint Color Wheel

I know that this is a very popular lesson, and after doing it myself, I see why. I read the story "Mouse Paint" by Ellen Stoll Walsh to the Kindergarteners, and they learned what two colors mix to make which secondary colors. We went over the color wheel, and made one ourselves using mice. Students used oil pastels to mix the colors, and then cut them out and place them in a circle. They loved adding the final touches.

Artist: n/a

Elements: Color

Concepts: The Color Wheel, Color Mixing

Materials: White Construction Paper, Tag Board, Oil Pastels, Scissors, Glue

Mondrian Animals

Kindergarten learned about Mondrian! Mondrian is a great artist to learn about when introducing primary colors. Students had 8 different how-to-draw pages to choose from, and then we learned how to make a grid within the animal. The most difficult part of this project was helping the students draw large enough to fit the grid inside.

Artist: Piet Mondrian

Elements: Line, Shape, Color

Concepts: Gridding, Primary Colors

Materials: White paper, black, red, yellow, and blue markers.

Kandinsky Paintings

Kindergarten learned about Kandinsky as part of our "Line and Shape" unit. I pre-folded the paper into 8 sections, and students traced the folds in the paper with a yellow oil pastel. Students then drew a large circle in each section, then medium, then small. After that, they used tempera paint to color!

Artist: Wassily Kandinsky

Elements: Shape

Concepts: Size

Materials: White tag board, yellow oil pastel, tempera paint 

Line Sculptures

Kindergarten made line sculptures for their first project.

They loved finding new ways to make the lines stand up and grow taller.

Artist: n/a

Elements: Line

Concepts: Sculpture, Folding, Gluing

Materials: glue, scissors, construction paper

Miro Figures

This week, 1st grade learned all about Joan Miro!

My supplies haven't come in yet, so I only have markers and construction paper to use.

Artist: Joan Miro

Elements: Line, Shape, Color

Concepts: Tracing, Unity

Materials: white paper, markers, construction paper

The Making of an Art Room

Hello! My name is Ms. B, and I decided to start this blog to document
my journey as an elementary school art teacher. Working as a Pre-K teacher was a blast, but I am finally beginning my dream job! I was accepted as an art teacher for a K-2 school, and was fortunate enough to be given the most beautiful room to use. I thought that I'd share my process of making this room (in my opinion ☺) the best room in school.

The school I am working at is located on the 3rd floor above a church, which means a LOT of stairs. My room is on the only one on the second floor, and this is the view outside my classroom.

So, my initial reaction to the room was that it was PERFECT. It has gorgeous high windows and pastel geometric designs painted over every wall. However, there was a lot of work to be done. I knew I had a smart board coming, and the 4 chalkboards wouldn't be necessary. There were also a few holes in the wall that needed to be covered.

The holes were fixed by using foam board painted the same color as the walls and some seriously strong tape.

I used foam presentation boards and strong tape to cover up the super old blackboards. After covering them with some bulletin board paper, they look like they were meant to be display boards! The foam board allows me to easily staple into it too.

I found this shelving unit in the hallway at school. After making sure no one else needed it, the director gave me permission to use it for my room. It will be perfect to store accessible supplies!

My elements of art displayed my friend Frida Kahlo.

My school requires us to have a word wall in each room.

I'm sure every kid will wonder what exciting things are in this fancy prize box!

Students' tables are each assigned a color to help keep things organized. I found colorful aprons for the student to use. Taking the one that corresponds with their table color will help keep the students from fighting over who gets which one.

This is my "Let's make smART choices" board! Each class gets a colored crayon at the end of class for good behavior. Once they get all the colors of the color wheel, everyone gets to go to the prize box! I thought about rewarding them with a party, but I see my classes twice a week, and they will be getting a full crayon box at least once a month (I hope!)

My class objectives boards. They match my pastel colored room, of course.

Got my smart board!

Some more posters and decorations.

Lastly, my very welcoming door! Bring on those kids!

Wish me luck on the new year!