Ms. Rossman's K-8 Art Methods

  Activity 12: 3D Art For this project we talked about Jean Buffet and the untraditional art that he created. We made paper, 3D sculptures. This project was a lot of fun in my opinion and allowed for us to express ourselves and it will do the same for the students.  Instructions: First, you will give the students one large piece of card stock paper and two smaller pieces. On the smaller pieces, they will draw out similar shapes with at least one straight edge so the sculptures are able to stand easier. Then on the larger sheet, they will draw three shapes to add to the sculpture. Once the shapes are drawn they will have a black outline on both sides of the shape. For this activity, you'll want the students to draw the shapes with the sharpie and cut on the outside of the line so the is still present. Once all the shapes are cut out, you will outline the other side of the shape so both sides have a black outline. Once this is done, you will draw different designs on the sides o...

  Activity 11: Clay For this activity, we integrated it with writing narratives and talked about Johnny Appleseed and the impact he had on America. It was also nice to make apples as future teachers, so now we all have a little pinch pot to use in our classrooms.  Instructions: First you will start out by handing each student a small block of clay and having them wedge it to get all the air bubbles out. After all the air bubbles are out you will pinch off a bit to use for the stem and leaf. Once that is done you will form a ball out of the clay until the rim is about the width of a pinky finger. Students will then use a modeling tool to smooth out their pot.  You will thin use the coiling method to create the stem and the a rolling pin to flatten the clay to create a leaf using the need tool. You will then use scoring and slipping to attach the leaf and stem to the apple pot. Then have the students use the needle tool to write their names on the bottom of their pot. They ...

Activity 9: Drawing For this project we worked with warm and cool colors and correlating them with day and night designs. For mine I did a sun with the parts coming out from the sun being different designs and for the night side I just kept it simple to add contrast to the drawing.  Instructions:  You will start with a piece of paper and draw your original design with a pencil before outlining it with sharpie. You will then go in with either, crayons, colored pencils, or markers to color in the drawing using warm colors on the day side and cool colors on the night side.  Materials: - Paper - Sharpie - Pencil - Colored Pencils, Crayons, and Markers  

Activity 8: Weaving   For this activity, we talked about how weaving is used for many different things in many different cultures. I found this activity very calming and relaxing to do. It honestly made me understand why people like to knit! Instructions: For this activity you will need cups that you are able to cut with a regular scissors to start with and at least one color of yarn. On the cup there will be dotted lines where they will cut. Once the cup is cut, you will use yarn and tie the end in the not around on of the parts of the cup you cut. Once the not is tied, you will weave the yarn over then under the 'arms' of the cup. If you want to switch colors, you will tie the two colors together, making sure the knot is hidden, and then continue. Once you reach the top of you cup you will finish off the yarn the way you started the cup by tying it off around an 'arm' and making sure that the knot is hidden.  Materials: - Cup (one you are able to cut)       ...

 Activity 7: Printmaking For this lesson we focused on the four seasons. We drew our seasons out of a hat to make it far and not all the students had the same one. This also encouraged students to learn about a different season that may or may not be their favorite.  Instructions: For this activity, you will first teach about the four seasons and their differences and key factors. After that you will have students draw a season out of a hat to make it fair for the students. Once they have chosen a season they will grab a piece of construction paper that represents their season and another piece of scratch paper. On a piece of paper, you will draw out a fall scene and have at least 3 items that represent their season. After you complete your drawing, you will trace over your drawing again when it is placed over a same sized piece of foam/styrofoam. Once you've traced over it, you will remove your original drawing and trace over your drawing directly on the foam to make sure the...

Activity 6: Paper Layering For this activity, we integrated it with science and different ecosystems. For this project we talked about the different kind of biomes and different details about them.  Instructions:  Have the students choose a biome they want to design using paper layers. On the white polaroid looking piece paper you will cut out a square on one side to create the image of a polaroid picture. You will then have the students use construction paper to create the layers and then glue them to the white paper. Once you're done with they layers you will fold over the polaroid piece to finish the look and write a fact about your biome on it.  On my example I did an ocean biome with seaweed sea anemones, fish, and seahorses. My fact was that it is  has a lot of really cool animals.  Materials  - Construction paper (multiple colors) - White tag board paper - Scissors - Glue - Pen or Sharpie to write fact