Arlo Needs Glasses

Last week we finished up a 3 week project based on the book Arlo Needs Glasses by Barney Saltzberg. The kids LOVED this book and if you decide to order this book for your child, or classroom I would recommend ordering more than one because the kids loved it very much and they all want to read a copy! It is about a dog who cant play catch anymore so his owner takes him to the eye doctor where he finds out his dog needs glasses. After trying on many glasses, arlo finds the best pair. Arlo is able to play catch again but his favorite thing to do is read =).

I cant take credit for this lesson because I found it on pinterest, however, it was one of the best projects I have taught because everyone is successful and they loved it. I did this lesson for kindergarten and first grade, however it could be adapted for older grades. The first week, we started off reading the book Arlo Needs Glasses by Barney Saltzberg. This is a very interactive book and the kids just love it! Anyways, we read the book and began drawing our own Arlo's. This step turned out so cute! We drew with pencil first and then we used a sharpie to cover up our pencil lines. We then colored our Arlo's yellow with crayon.  For the background around the dog, we got out some chalk and colored and smudge our chalk using our fingers. This was very messy, but the kids loved using chalk because we don't get it out very much!

The 2nd art class we decorate a pair of glasses. I had precut glasses already made. Each students got a pair and decorate them using markers. I encouraged them to add pattern or make them colorful instead of just coloring them one solid color...next, students got to go to different tables in which they got to chose to add glitter ( yes, I let them use glitter and it was everywhere ), sequins and little colored squares. The students loved this part. I let them go to each station if they wanted too. After the glasses were finished, we let them dry.

For the last and final week, we took our glasses and glued them onto our Arlo dogs. They had to be very careful because some of them were very heavily decorated. Once the glasses were glued down, students were able to add their final touches to their art and they turned out AWESOME!!!!! I love these SOOOO much!!!!!

2nd and 5th grade Pattern Landscapes!

 

This last week in the art room, we learned about landscapes! We learned the difference between seascapes, cityscapes, and landscapes. Students were encourage to create an original landscape that  would show land as well as hills, rivers, barns, house, animals, etc.  After they drew their basic landscapes, we used a pattern worksheet, where students filled in their landscapes with different patterns.Once their landscapes were finished in pencil, students used a sharpie to cover up their pencil lines.

After the sharpie was finished, they began coloring them with markers.

During the projects, I had to order new markers, because we discovered our markers weren't working as well as we wanted them to so after the new markers came in the color really popped! =)

In rememberance of George Rodrique

Over Christmas break I heard the terrible news that George Rodrique had died at the age of 69 due to cancer. This was an amazing guy who painted blue dogs in different settings based on personal things, or important happenings in our country. I was sadden to hear this news, however, I wanted to introduce this artist to my kindergarteners and my 1st graders. So to do that we began watching a YouTube video where he begins painting one of his famous dogs from start to finish...the kids loved watching this and learning about him. We began by carefully drawing our dogs following my demonstration. Once we drew our dogs, we traced on top of our pencil lines with black crayon so that our lines would show up. Next, students got to chose what color they wanted to paint their dogs. They could chose red, green, blue, orange or purple. We had a variety of colored dogs.

love this guys expression!

 

After we painted them, we waited for them to dry. Our next art class we began cutting out our dogs CAREFULLY! I went ahead and cut the kindergarten classes out because I was afraid they would cut off their tails, or ears. haha

Once they were cut out, students got to chose a colored piece of paper to glue down their dog. Once they were glued down, students were able to create a background around their dogs. Students also were encouraged to create additional things out of scrap paper! Check out this creativity below...

love this top hat!

bow tie is fancy!

I love this one with the ear phones! So cute!

every dog needs a skirt and a handbag =)

 

The kids really loved learning about this artist and creating their dogs. my kiddoes never seize to amaze me with their creativity! love their art!

 

All about Snowmen!!!!

So with all of these snow days, we had to make snowmen in the art room! I love the personalities of these little guys below! I love teaching art to kids. I wish I could create their whimsical look in my own art! They always have such great personalities! I love them all!  These are kindergarten and 1st graders snowmen!!!!

love this little guy

I love how this one has hair!

Olaf even showed up! =)

We had a great time creating these cuties!

Happy March!

So it has been 2 months since I have put anything on our blog and I am ashamed...So sorry. We have been extremely busy in the art room since my last post and I'm excited to share our projects with you! I hope you enjoy them! As I'm writing this, it is snowing and sleeting outside and we have a snow day tomorrow...I think it is snow day number 14 maybe...I have definitely lost track. I'm super excited about spring coming and we are going to have our very first art show coming very soon! the kids as well as myself are very excited about this! Stay tune for a future date because it is in the works! =)


So to start off our new projects...when we came back from Christmas vacation and all of our snow days, we began abstract portraits Picasso style. I love Picasso so much, I had to see how I could fit all grades and their grade level expectations within this project so everyone could create their own...they turned fantastic! Enjoy them below!!!!!!


Students began choosing 3 different colors of construction paper. They had to draw two eyes and a nose. One feature for each colored of paper.  They had to make sure and draw two different eyes and not the same on both pieces. After they drew their features, we used oil pastels to color in our features. I love abstract art because the kids were able to color their features whatever color the wanted. Some had a hard time doing this because they kept telling me that our nose isn't purple, but I encouraged them to let go and have some fun!

After their features were finished, they chose another colored construction paper so glue their features onto. They had to play around with them and I encouraged them to move them around in different areas until they found the perfect place for them!

Some wanted to glue and then color and that was just fine! =0)

 

I love how they began taking shape and showing personalities.

And once their features were glued down, we colored their face different colors along with their shirt and necks! they turned out awesome!!!!!

They all did a great job! Love these and my kids!

Happy New Year!!!!

I cant believe we have reached the year 2014!!!! Sorry for such a delay of not posting in awhile. The holidays were crazy busy, but I cant wait to get back into my routine and back to creating art with my little artists!  I have some cool projects planned and I think the kids will enjoy them! Until next time...