Pumpkins!

O.K. I'll admit it.  I do love jack-o-lanterns.  I love the colors, the faces and the endless possibilities involved in creating these pumpkins filled with personality.  Our Kindergarteners listened closely to the book It's Pumpkin Time, which describes the process of growing pumpkins.   We noticed and discussed the fact that the pumpkins are various tones of orange. 

After our class discussion, it was time to get to it and create. On day one we painted our pre-drawn pumpkins.  The next week we began designing our pumpkins.  This provided a good opportunity to discuss correct scissor usage as well as how much glue to use.  I always remind them that a dot does a lot.  We discussed moods as we went.  The kids love this activity and so do I!

Still-Life With Paul Cezanne

I found it easy to discuss the concepts of space and value while introducing first grade students to the French Artist Paul Cezanne. We looked at and discussed various works by the French artist.  

Next we began our own art based on his apple still-lifes.  We spent the first day drawing and tracing our lines with black crayon.  Students got creative by using patterns for their backgrounds.

On day two, we began painting.  First we painted some green and red at the bottom of our apples. 

Still-Life with Martha Alf

I always to try to squeeze in a Martha Alf pear drawing lesson with my fifth grade students every year. This is such a good lesson in which we can review the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design.  And the end product always makes for such a stunning exhibit.  

Martha Alf is an artist from southern California.  She is well known for her pear still-lifes and landscapes.