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.

Eric Carle Collage

We began this project by watching a video of Eric Carle explaining how he creates his pictures and where he draws his ideas from. We then created sheets of paper by making them wet then adding paint in random patterns. This is just how he creates his sheets that he works with except he uses tissue paper; we did not since it is very difficult to work with and takes long to dry. We then came up with a concept to write a story and we cut out objects from the papers we made to create a scene from our story. I chose to use a frog as my main character and had them on a golf course because I love golf and they are all over the course I play at. For an extension activity I would have the students write their own story that goes along with the picture.

Finger Painting- Starry Night

For this project we started by studying a little bit about Vincent van Gogh and his art. We listened to the song that was made for his probably most famous painting Starry Night. We then tried our best to re-create the painting using techniques he painted with. We did finger painting and mixed colors directly on the paper. I tried to create lines that gave the picture movement. I really enjoyed this project because this painting is one of my all time favorites. For an extension activity I would do an astronomy lesson is science class to study the stars and the sky.

Footprint Project

ELRN 385

This blog was made for my ELRN class which is part of my Junior blocks. It is a class about technology and distance teaching that can be used in the classroom. This blog is an example of something we can use in the classroom yet I wont ever use it because I will be teaching elementary students why would they be blogging. I do like the blogs it is a decent way to publish ideas and interact but not for the classroom.