Stepping Stones

This project was to make a decorative stepping stone out of cement. The lesson started with a brief history about the different types of stepping stones and there uses. We then started to draw a rough sketch of how we would decorate the stones. While we were decorating the teachers would call us over and fill our plastic mold with wet cement. We had to let the cement sit a little bit and would shake the mold to get all the air bubbles in the cement out. After all the air bubbles came out we could then decorate the stone. The picture is of my fiancé and I and it was taken at a party at my fraternity at UND. I put our greek letters at the top of the stone and wrote the name of the party around the sides. It is kind of hard to read but it says Two Yard Hop. After done decorating we set the stones to the side so that they could dry. Once dry we simply took the stones out of the mold and took a paper towel and cleaned the stone up to make it look nice. As an extension activity we would do a class stepping stone pathway and each stone would represent a value that is dear to each student.

Lacy Clay Ornaments

This project started by a history lesson about lace, the different types of lace and how it is made. The instructors then moved in to showing how to draw a design for the lace and how to get the clay in shape. We started by being given a baggy with water and clay mixed. We had to work the clay in the bag to work the excess water in. After we had our outline drawn on white paper we taped wax paper over that. We then cut a tiny whole in one of the ends of the baggy of clay and squeezed it out like a piping bag for cooking. We tried to follow our outline as best as possible. You go over the outline a couple times to ensure that the clay will be thick enough. An extension activity would be to have a class Christmas tree and have the children decorate the tree with their ornaments.

Scratch Art

This is a picture of Nicole and my board that we created. We covered it with blue paper then covered that with black. We wanted to try and create a board that looked like it was created by scratch art so we cut out lines throughout the board to show the blue that is underneath. We stapled the students projects on the board in clusters and tried to show as much of the cutouts as possible.

This is my scratch art project that I was the instructor for. Our topic was drawing and we felt that this was a much more creative way to incorporate drawing than normal drawing. We started the lesson by covering some vocab terms and what exactly scratch art is. We then showed the students how to do the different techniques of drawing with scratch art. We assigned a random abstract shape to each child and they were to use their creativity and use that shape in their picture. My shape I made into a turtle. I used three different techniques in my artwork and tried to utilize the entire page. I really enjoyed this project I thought it was something fun to do and students would really like this rather than just simply drawing with paper and pencil. An extension project I would do is to have the students write a story about what they created the object into and why they created that. I would also have them think of at least 3 other things they could have done with their shape.

Elements and Principles of Art

For this project we were to take photos of the different elements and principles of art and create a power point out of them. For each element or principle we would have our picture along with our own definition of the element. The elements and principles were lines, shapes, texture, space, value, color, balance, rhythm/movement, contrast, unity/variety, emphasis, pattern/repetition.

 This is an image I took in southwest Aberdeen. I used this for an example of pattern/repetition. I feel that the way that the poles are the same distance apart as every other and it continues throughout town that it was a good example of a pattern. It is a good example of something in its natural state that someone is used and really doesnt even notice.

This is a picture of the tire yard behind Goodyear Tire in Aberdeen. I felt it was a very good example of shapes in the fact that there are circles, squares, rectangles, cylinders, etc. Another picture of something in its natural state. I believe it is an example of how something that can be seen as an eyesore for some people can actually be somewhat beautiful if looked at with the proper eye. For an extension activity I would have the students takes pictures of there own and explain why they took it, tell a story about each picture. I would not make them look for a specific principle or element but rather use their imagination and tell a story of what they were thinking when they saw the picture that made them take the picture.

Print Making

This project is an example of print making. We started this project by studying what exactly print making is and how it is done. They then read a story about some strange chickens that lay weird eggs. For the project itself we created molds of an Easter egg. We created these molds by carving into pre-cut meat trays. After our mold was finished you rolled paint onto the mold then pressed it onto paper. The parts that were carved out should not have had paint and the parts that were not should. We did 4 different color prints and then pasted them onto construction paper. An extension project for this would be to study some information about Easter and do some fun activities along with that.

Rainbow Fish Collage

Rainbow fish was a lesson for younger students. The lesson started by reading the story The Rainbow Fish. The instructors then moved straight into starting the project. The project was very simple but it is perfect for the early grades. All we did for this project was picked one of the fish drew it on white paper. We then picked some colored construction paper and tore it into pieces. We took those small pieces and glued them onto the white paper fish. We used some tin foil and other sequins to add some more effect to the collage.An extension project would be to study marine life in science class.

Pop Art

This image is made out of oil pastels and is a made to model an Andy Warhol painting. We started by learning about Andy Warhol and how he created pop art, and what pop art is. We were put into groups and our group was given an object to draw. We also needed pick out a color scheme, monochromatic, analogous, or complementary. I chose monochromatic with red. We also needed to use black and white to blend the color to create different shades. I enjoyed this project but oil pastels are very messy for elementary students so I suggest providing aprons for the students. For an extension project I would have my students read a series of books on a specific theme.

Pebble Painting

This activity was very fun and elementary students would love it. We started right in with this project we were each given a shoe box. The teachers showed us how to create the papers first then we were given time to create 6 papers. One for each of the 3 primary colors and one for 3 secondary colors. They also had 3 different rocks or pebbles to use to shake in the paint. To create these papers you simply put the paper in the bottom of a shoe box. Place a dot of paint in a corner of your paper and place a rock in the box. Shake the box vigorously to create a random pattern and spread the paint. For the secondary colors you simply put a dot of each primary color you want to combine. We then cut out geometric shapes and chose our favorite papers that we created and glued them to construction paper. I loved the activity and so would younger kids. For an extension activity i would get the kids active and go outside and find rocks and study other rocks.

Paper Weaving

For this project we weaved twisted pieces of newspaper. To begin we learned about the different types of paper weaving and different items that were made by paper weaving. To begin the project we were given a piece of cardboard to be our base and several pre-cut pieces of newspaper. We taped one end of the newspaper down the horizontal way of the board and one end of different pieces the horizontal way. We were told to do 4-5 pieces each way. We then weaved or braided these pieces with each other. After they were weaved we grabbed the un-taped end of newspaper and twisted it the taped the other end once the entire piece was twisted. We continued this process for all the pieces. We could then decorate the board anyway we want. I used warm colors and added some silver glitter. For an extension activity I would study the Egyptians and other cultures that used weaved baskets for everyday tasks.

Hidden Safari

This project was an example lesson for the class on a way we can peer teach. We learned a new way to draw that can make difficult images easier. We drew animals upside down. Once we felt comfortable drawing the animals we then chose one of the many animals that were on the sheets and we drew that animal with blue pencil. Then you draw a repeating pattern over the top of the blue with warm colors. We also made some red glasses to use to see what is hidden behind the pattern in the front. We were given pre-made forms for the glasses we just had to attach the red plastic paper and trim it to fit. When you look through the glasses at my picture you can see a giant Rhinoceros. We also wrote three clues about what our animal was. For an extension activity I would have my students pick out shapes that don’t fit in patterns of geometrical shapes.