Pinch Pots

For this project I created Speedy the Snail using clay. To begin this project, we were given clay and were instructed to slam it on the table and to crush it into the palms of our hands. We were instructed to do this so that we would get all of the air pockets out of the clay, in hopes of preventing it from cracking. I created the shell of my animal by using my thumbs and making sure that my shell was a thumbs distance thick to prevent it from being to small and cracking. Once my shell was complete, I added a face and tail to my shell. I added water throughout my entire snail to smooth it out with my hands. I added a mouth and eyes to my snail, and also added some designs on its shell.

An extension activity would be to research the area where you would find the animal that created. Have to students research some facts and have them create an environment for their animal to live in. For example I would create a garden as my environment for my snail, and have him eating a plant.

Printmaking Bulletin Board

Here is the bulletin board that Brendan and I created to show off our student's artwork. We used green wall paper and stapled it to the board. For our title, "Printmaking About Us," we printed it off large enough to see, and also stapled that to the board as well. Finally, we hung up the student's projects so that everyone's hard work can be on display.

Printmaking

To create this printmaking project we used tempra paint, and paint rollers. To begin, we handed each student a Styrofoam sheet. We had them cut it in half. On one of the sheets, we had students create a pattern of whatever they wanted using a pencil on the Styrofoam sheet. My patterns consisted of a dash and then a curvy line and so on. Next, I created a star and then a square and so on, and just kept repeating until I ran out of room. We then took our pattern sheet and covered it with paint. I placed it in the top left corner with the side with paint on it facing the construction paper and pressed down hard on it. Then I took a roller and rolled it until I felt I did it long and hard enough to show on my construction paper. I continued this process with my other two prints, but notice that I also created a pattern with my colors (white, blue, white). Once we had the three prints done, we moved on to the final step of the project. For the final part of this project, we had students come up with three different symbols or logos that relate to themselves. We had the students use the second part of the Styrofoam sheet they cut for their symbols. My three symbols and logos were:
1. Minnesota Twins- Favorite baseball team.
2. Wrestling mat- I've wrestled my whole life, and the sport means a lot to me.
3. Donut- I love donuts, one of my favorite foods to eat.

When we had our three symbols done, we then repeated the same process with the paint and construction paper as we did for the other three prints.


An extension activity for this lesson could be language arts and having the students pick on of their symbols and write a reflection about how it relates to them. For example, I could pick the Minnesota Twins logo and write about how they are my whole families favorite team, or  how I've been to many of their games at Target Field and their old stadium the Metrodome etc.

3D Play-Doh Creatures

For this project, we learned about the differences between 2D and 3D objects. When then learned about Dr. Seuss and some of the characters and objects he uses in his stories. We even got to watch a video and see the book, "Oh the Places You'll Go!" To start this project, we were to create our own Dr. Seuss character on a piece of paper. We did this to represent the 2D image. I created a fish that enjoyed searching for treasure in the bottom of the ocean. We then created a 3D background with construction paper. For our 3D background we had to have items in the foreground, middle ground, and background. For my foreground, I used green play-doh for rocks. Used a brown crayons to create a treasure chest, with some sparkles on it. For my middle ground, I had different types of seaweed, to try to represent the middle level of the ocean. I used green play-doh again, and green fluffy balls, and green pipe cleaner as different types of seaweed. For my background, I just had the top level of the ocean with a balloon flying in air. I used orange construction paper for the balloon, and purple pipe cleaner as the balloon string.

For my 3D character, I molded him with orange play-doh. I added orange pipe cleaners to him for his arms. I used the purple pipe cleaner for a mouth, which I glued on. I also glued on the eyes for him. Once I was done creating him, I glued him in the foreground of my back to show that he was searching for treasure.

An extension activity you could do for this lesson is relate it to shapes. This would give students extra practice in determining what objects are 2D and 3D. Example is having a cube drawn on a piece of paper for 2D, and then having an actual cube for 3D.

Wassily Kandinsky

This project was based on the artist Wassily Kandinsky. He mainly focused on creating landscapes using many colors. To begin this project we start with the three main primary colors: Red, Blue, and Yellow. Next, we dealt with secondary colors: Orange, Green, and Purple. We than got paint and had to mix the colors together to get all the colors of the rainbow. We did this by having a paper plate with the primary colors on it, and then mixed two together to get the secondary colors. (Example- Mixing red and blue to get purple. Mixing Yellow and Blue to get green). Once we had all the colors, we used a small sponge and created the layers of a rainbow. When the rainbow was complete, we set it off to the side to dry. We than took another sheet of paper and created a background. For my background I just created a landscape with the sun and an airplane flying by. When I was done with my background, I cut out my rainbow and glued it to my background.

An extension activity for first graders could be mixing colors with water cups and paper towels. This would be another way for students to see how different colors are created. Also, its a neat thing for young students to see how it works. The only materials needed would be: food dye, clear cups, and paper towels.  

Eric Carle Animals

Here is project I created for a lesson about Eric Carle. Carle is famous for using different types of paper and prints to create different animals, as such in  Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
For my project, I was given a duck. To create my duck, I used different types of yellow paper and prints. You can't really see them all in my image, but there are three different ones used. I used one type  of paper for my ducks tail and back half. I used a second type of print for my ducks body. I used another type of paper for my ducks neck and head. Finally, I used an orange print for my ducks beak and feet. Once my duck was complete, I glued him to a sheet of construction paper. We than had to name our animal and write a few sentences about it on a separate sheet of paper.. I named my duck Howard. My sentences were, "I see a yellow duck looking at me. He had a long neck and bright orange feet. His name is Howard, and he is the best." I could out that the sheet, and glued it right under Howard.


An extension activity you could do for a younger students is split them into groups and create a story involving the groups animals. This would give students the opportunity to use team work to create a story to share with the class. This activity would get each student involved, and it would be fun for the students to create a little story about their animals.

Jasper Jones Fish

For this project, we learn about Jasper Jones. Jones used bright colors and used a stamping or smearing technique to create his artwork. We got to experiment with stamping and smearing with different objects. We used: apples, carrots, celery sticks, and spoons. We got to experiment with each object before we created our fish. When creating our fish, we had to follow certain directions. The face and fins need to be smeared gray. The body of the fish need to be stamped with the other objects. Once completed stamping the body of the fish, we cut it out with scissors. Then we glued it to a piece of construction paper. Below the fish we wrote with a marker the objects we used.

For mine, I used:
1. Apple
2. Carrot
3. Celery
4. Spoon

I could use:
1. Bottle Cap
2. Tooth pick
3. Pickle
4. Grape

Once completed with that, we then needed to stamp our initials at the bottom of the page. I used a carrot to stamp CJV with the grey paint.



An extension activity for a fourth grade class would be to teach about different types of fish in a local lake or pond. Finding out information like what they eat, where you can find them in the water, and how many eggs they lay etc. This would be a fun extension activity for students because they would learn information about fish and the local lake or pond.

Monet Bridge Painting

Here is my painting of Monet's Bridge. For this activity, I started by creating the orange bridge in the middle of the page with an orange crayon. Next, I took a light green and dark green and created vines at the top of page, and lily pads at the bottom.  I than took my white crayon and created clouds at the top of my page. With the white crayon I also tried to create some movement throughout my work by adding different types of lines throughout my painting. Lastly, I used a red and pink crayon and filled in the lily pads and added different types of flowers under the bridge. Once completed with the crayons, we used blue and purple watercolor to bring out the warm crayon colors we used. I used a blue and purple pattern throughout my painting. 

An extension activity for this project would be to have the students write a short story about their bridge. Students would use their imagination and create a fun story about their bridge that they will share with the class. 

Van Gogh Sunflower Painting

Here is my Van Gogh sunflower painting. To begin this project, we need a sheet of construction paper. Then we used our pencil and created a vase. For my vase, I tried to create a big round one, because it reminded me of the vases that my mother used for her flowers. Next, we drew three circles where ever on the page. Once done with our circles, we attached stems from the vase to them. After that, I drew petals coming off of each one of my circles. Next I colored my vase purple, and colored the stems of the flowers green. When completed with the coloring, I filled in the center of each of my flowers with a checkers board design. When completed with that, we painted our flower petals yellow. Once the paint was dry, we used sunflower seeds and glued them around the edge of the flower. 

An extension activity you could do for this is have the students go on a field trip to a green house. This would be fun for the students and they would be learning new information outside of the classroom. 

Hidden Safari

 

This is my Hidden Safari project. For this activity, I chose to hide a monkey. What I did first was took a book crayon and had the monkey image upside down and I tried to replicate it.  This helps you focus on the lines, rather than the entire image. When doing this step, be careful not to press to hard with the crayon. I did in my artwork, and me monkey isn't very well hidden. So be sure you press lightly with the blue crayon. Once completed with your animal, find your warm colors. With your warm colors draw whatever kind of shapes and patterns. Try to fill your page with you shapes and patterns so that you hide your animal. You want to make it difficult so that you can't see your animal unless you have on your red glasses. The red glasses allow the animal to be visible. 

My Hidden Safari Clues:

1. You can find me hanging in a tree.

2. The animal is usually brown.

3. This animal loves bananas. 

An extension activity for this for students to do would be to learn about different animals. I would assign students different animals and they will be assigned to research information about their animal. The students would  find 5-7 facts about their animal and share them with the class. 

Van Gogh Landscape Collage

Here is my Van Gogh Landscape collage. For this project you need: construction paper, different color tissue paper, glue, white crayon and oil pastels. To begin this project, you want to cut of shapes with the tissue paper. You can create whatever kind of shape you want and glue them to your black sheet of construction paper. Once you cover enough space with the tissue paper, you will cover your entire black sheet of construction paper with tempera. I let the construction paper dry and then I used the white color and white oil pastel to add lines to try to create some movement in my artwork. Then I took another sheet of black construction paper and created a city outline. I then took the oil pastel and added windows and a street to try to give it a city feel.

For an extension activity students could find a place that is special to them and try to recreate it. For example a student could do Minneapolis and create it however they want and then explain to one another why they chose the place they did and how it makes them feel. This would give students the opportunity to be creative and create a place in their image.

Elements & Principles

http://elemandprincjv.blogspot.com/ My individual photos.

Group presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1a8znH8sqN90cubIyCEcmpjSTXe6BvhBATb8KQXDpFPg/edit?usp=sharing

My Intro Footprint

This foot activity was a great way for us to introduce ourselves to each other in our classroom. This is an easy and fun way to create something that describes yourself. If you wanted to do this activity with your class, you don't need anything special. First, have the students get some construction paper and have them trace their foot with a marker. Next, have the students write their name anywhere on the foot. Try to have them put it in a place so they can make it big enough so you can see it from across the room. Then have your students find pictures or stickers that described them. Next, they will glue the items they found onto their foot. If your students can't find the pictures they are looking for, have your students draw them with markers or crayons. Lastly, let the glue dry and then hang it somewhere in the classroom for everyone to see.

An extension activity you could do with this is have the students not put their names on the foot. Collect all the students feet and put them in a pile. Have a student come up and draw a foot from the pile and have them try to guess whose foot they have. Have the student present the foot to the class, that way they can see each others work. Give each student 3 chances to guess who the owner of the foot is. This would be a fun game for the students to play so that they could see how well they know one another.

My Foot
Football- My favorite sport, played in high school and a Minnesota Vikings fan.
Jimmy Johns & Buffalo Wild Wings- My favorite places to enjoy meals at.
NSU- Where I go to college, love it here!
Wrestling Mat- I've wrestled since I can remember. Don't know what I would do without this sport. Also, a member of NSU Wrestling team
Teddy Bridgewater- My favorite Minnesota Vikings player.
Eric Berry- He's an inspiration to me. He's an NFL player and beat cancer. I've also watched him play in many games, and have even shook his hand.
Verizon, Twitter, Facebook- My phone carrier is Verizon, and I spend a lot of time browsing videos on Facebook and Twitter.
Baseballs- Played baseball in high school. Am a Minnesota Twins fan.