April Is Autism Awareness Month!

Our school has embraced Autism Awareness this month to help our students learn more about what it means to be on the Autism Spectrum.  I was able to tie this into an art lesson and create collaborative artwork that could then be displayed in the hallways for the month of April. 

First, I asked students what they knew about being on the Autism Spectrum.  It was interesting to see what some of the misconceptions already in the young minds, especially the 1st and 2nd grade students. I was happy to help them understand a bit more what it is like to have Autism, and that the most important part is that we are all the same on the inside.  I also visually made my own "spectrum" with rainbow colors and discussed what someone might be like on different parts of the spectrum. 

After lots of discussion and questions or comments on someone they knew with Autism, I handed out a puzzle piece I drew and photocopied on white paper.  A puzzle piece is a symbol for Autism because of the complexity of the disorder and that there is still no cure.  After discussing this with the students, I let them color it any way they chose, and they could add words if they wanted to. 

Students then cut out their shapes and we glued them to a larger paper to hang in the hallways.  Below are some of the finished posters!!

You can learn more about the Autism Spectrum Disorder at http://www.autismspeaks.org/

7th Grade Silhouettes

I started this lesson by showing examples of professional sunset photographs with many different objects as silhouettes.  We discussed what a silhouette is, and how it is created, when the light source is behind the object.  I also talked about how popular sunset photographs are for professional photographers to create for others to purchase. 
We then created a wet on wet watercolor sunset, using mostly warm colors found in a sunset. I demonstrated adding salt to the wet paint for an added effect. Students were then allowed to make their own silhouette, it just needed to include one plant and one animal.  Silhouettes were painted with black tempera paint, which also gave us an opportunity to discuss opaque vs. transparent paint. 

Dolphin Paintings

After my recent trip to the Florida Keys and a visit to the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, Florida, I was inspired to teach my 2nd grade students about these amazing mammals.  We spent time discussing dophin facts, with videos from National Geographic Kids and some pictures I took while on my trip.  My students were very excited and many of them were able to contribute to the discussion from their own facts they had learned. 

Before the first class period was over, we went through a step by step process to draw a dolphin.  I encouraged them to practice drawing one during their free time until the next art class. 

The students created crayon drawings of the dophin and it's surroundings.  We discussed creating a scene for their dolphin.  Was it underwater, up in the air, in an aquarium, etc.  Students added realistic colors to their dolphins and other details with crayon. 

The final step was to paint the entire paper with blue watercolor paint.  The watercolor resists the oil in the crayons and leaves a very neat result.  The students and I were thrilled with how well their paintings turned out!

What's In Your Head?

My 4th grade students recently completed a paper collage project that answered the question: What's in your head?  We started the lesson by brainstorming what images one would find if the students could look inside their heads... We discussed colors, images, food, family, activities, and feelings. 

Students then did their best to find those images in a variety of magazines and newspapers.  I also drew each student's silhouette using an overhead projector.   Students really got a kick out of what their actual silhouette looked like once it was done. 

The finished product looked very much like each student!! This was a very enjoyable lesson that allowed us to discuss how art can be used for personal expression.