Action Draw

This project extends the 2nd grade study of community. In art class we learn how to make a human figure using circles for joints and slender ovals for the bones. We measure against ourselves to see where and how we bend. After practicing with guided drawings and drawing projected images of athletes the kids pose for each other for the final project. In addition to the drawing skills, the levels of communication are increased.

Balanced Rock

During the NPS sponsored Outdoor Education program all 2nd grades visit Balanced Rock in Arches NP to learn about pothole ecology and geology. As part of their field trip they take a walk around Balanced Rock. Back at school we extend the field trip by drawing and coloring Balanced Rock in oil pastel. This offers the fun exercise of trying to match the color of Entrada sandstone by using a set of 12 pastels. Students first agree that the exact color of the rock does not come in a box, it must be made. They are then challenged to match the rock so that a small piece of their paper disappears when viewed from halfway across the classroom. Students “record” their recipe by making a mark each time they use a color. Through this exercise the come to understand if a color is too light/dark or red/green or some other difference. They learn to “read” the color of an object like an artist. We then draw Balanced Rock from a favorite side, color it with our recipe and then finish the sky with dry pastel or watercolor.

Phases of the Moon

Phases of the moon is a 2nd grade staple. It provides a variety of art projects, most of which are based in kids choosing a favored phase and then painting it. One of my favorite techniques is to look at moonlit scenes and start with a full moon painted with metallic colors (for the glow). The phase is added with a sponge (the same color of the background) to mimic the shadowing of the moon. Students have to be aware of the actual phenomenon to get the curve of the shadow correct. They then paint their scene, highlighting select elements with moonlight, ie, the same metallic colors they painted the moon with.

Symbols and Symmetry

The incorporation of American Indian art into the social studies is a tricky subject, but highly rewarding if done right and with respect. Most Indian arts have their roots in tribal religious culture. Symbols have deep meaning and some of the “art forms” are easily trivialized by non-natives. Toilet paper tube Kachina dolls that mimic Hopi K’atsina carvings, and the like are highly disrespectful. Most of the tribal art forms incorporate symbols and patterns that describe their relationship to nature.

Using Navajo Rugs or SW Baskets as inspiration provide two good ways to approach this subject. The traditional arts area first explored via a slide show where students take visual notes in their Symbols Book. Symbols are discussed and drawn. At the end students are challenged to create a symbol of their own portraying family.

Depending on whether the final project is rug or basket driven the principle of symmetry is explored and practiced. Personal designs are then drawn and finally painted. Color patterns are employed. I often employ a multi-media technique of oil pastel and watercolor. Navajo rug inspired rug designs look great painted on corrugated cardboard or foam core. Pending age group, radial designs are made on 8x8 or 12x12 or larger paper. We often tape them together in quilt fashion.

O’Keeffe-ish

First touched on in kindergarten this project has kids learn to focus in on part of a flower and then paint it with smooth blends of tinted colors on 18x24” paper. We first view a flower PPT and then the kids are given photos of full flowers. They learn to crop using pieces of paper. When their crop is finished they “biggy-size” the drawing. A second lesson teaches them how to paint with tints of color. They get a limited palette of 2-3 colors and white.