Collage -Romaire Bearden Inspired- 2nd grade

     First, we used official architectural terms to trace, cut and create our buildings. 

     
Students had access to varied types of paper. Construction paper, magazines, decorative paper, and painted paper. Later, we even added maps and newspaper.                                            

                 
Since group work is a huge focus of my work, I rolled out a huge paper and had them add their collage structures as they saw fit. The exciting part of letting go more is the vast variety of ideas, ways in which papers are combined and ways in which the items created are weaved into a narrative. Had I controlled more, I would never get this rich a work and the students would also not be as focused. 



I brough in the book, The Block. The book has large close ups of a series of collages by Romaire Bearden. 


Here are some

Architecture unit with 2nd grade

I was inspired to begin an architecture unit with 2nd grade because it would connect with what we have already done with printmaking and colllographs, but also, because they very much enjoyed working in printmaking last week. I got this book for free and it was a major inspiration. 





Inside was a book, a very useful chart and various stamps that if combined could be used to explore architecture. The stamps were tiny. Great for one person, but, for a class that would be impossible to bank on these materials. So I printed a few resources for students to choose from and make one stamp, larger, about 1.5-3" squared. 

Because I teach in Spanish I added the Spanish words for these building parts. They will come in handy when we begin writing about our structures. 





Here are just a few samples of the stamps we will be using next time to create a 2d rendition of an architecture design. 

I tested out various mediums to see which one gave me richer results. Printmaking ink was not a winner. Students would have to not only roll the right amount of ink on each stamp but also put equal pressure on all parts for the prints to come out successfully. 


Tempera paint was not only messy. I used a brush to apply the wet medium. But the same issues came up as with the printmaking ink. 


Last, I created a stamp pad using Styrofoam trays and felt. I poured India ink on the felt and it functioned very much like a giant stamp pad. The only thing is that students would have to be reminded to rock the stamp up, down and side to side for all sides to print. I will also find some wooden blocks to use as stamp handles, which will help in bringing equal pressure on all parts of the stamp. 

3rd graders sketch buildings and trees in our community

3rd graders got to go outdoors and draw the buildings (and trees) around the school using rulers to help them gauge the correct perspective.

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Kindergartners use their box-making skills and team spirit to make a town

This is the small town built by the kindergartners.

Each house was built by a 'team' of 2 people.

Children in teams took time to discuss color choices.
Making the roof was new, but with a little extra help they all were able to use 4 triangles to make a roof.

Look at this team work!

Clay Creations (Not YET Done) by Ms. McCoy's Class

Can't wait to see the final images of these gingerbread clay creations by Ms. McCoy's class. The houses are not yet painted and will be done and ready to go home next week. You too can do gingerbread homes from home by using self-drying clay, a butter knife, acrylic paint and a small detail brush.