mrspicasso's art room

These were made with 5th graders using watercolor. I showed them a slide show of various carousel animals and had them choose an animal and draw it, adding the pole, saddle, and various accessories. Next year, we are going to try these using oil pastel.

Have you ever tried projects from the art supply web pages? Here are a few that I have tried with my students, with notes about the changes/alterations we made. From the United Art & Education site: Stained Glass Sculpture I did these with 5th grade. Notes: * These are very fragile sculptures. * We made our pieces a little bigger than suggested- the smallest frame is 2" X 2" in our sculptures. * Keeping the pieces separated and not stolen is key here! My students placed them on a piece of paper with their names on it before painting. * From the project directions: "To remove ripples from cellophane, evenly dampen it with water. It will become taut when dry with a glass-like look." Yeah, this didn't work. Skip it! Also from the United Art & Education site: Metallic Clay Leaf Collage I did these with 4th grade and they were the hit of the art show! Notes: * We used Crayola Air Dry Clay for these instead of Stonex. * We painted them complet

My third graders make these each year. They are glazed using Stroke & Coat Wonderglazes (two coats). They begin by learning about the clay suns of Mexico and view several examples. They then create a design that will be replicated in clay. I hand out a circle shape to trace and they go from there. Their clay suns must match their drawings, as seen in the following examples: The kids also love using these stamps (press tools) on the cheeks and forehead from Mayco. We add holes in the top using the handy milk straw method and when fired, add a ribbon for hanging. Glazing the suns to match their drawings. The kids really seem to enjoy this project! To see our entire gallery, visit our Artsonia page.

This tempera project is done with second grade and only takes one class period- bonus! Students choose a 12" X 12" piece of construction paper. I pre-cut these and have enough different colors so that no student has the same color. I also put out enough colors of tempera (in a small dish) so that each student has their own color. The trick is to complete the painting without repeating any color. Have students turn their paper on the diagonal and paint their initial large enough so that it extends off the paper on all sides. I usually have some students who cannot visualize this, so I will draw it on the board for them to see. Also, I have them make the letter nice and fat. Students return their paint cups and choose a different color to outline their letter. I have them drop their brush in the sink and pick up a different one as it saves time. I was them as they are doing this step. Students return their paint and brush and again choose new. For this step, I have them m

This project is a hit amongst my fifth graders. It stresses symmetry and introduces a new technique- metal tooling (repousse). Supplies: white typing paper, pencil, ink pen (for transfer method), Modeling repousse tools , newspapers, 26 gauge aluminum metal tooling foil (cut in to 8 1/2" X 11" sheets), Sharpie permanent markers (or other brand), scissors, 1/8" paper punch , thin ribbon, variety of beads, wooden dowel 1/4" X 12", wooden base with 1/4" hole drilled in middle, wood glue, clear packing/book tape Procedure: Fold the typing paper in half, either vertically or horizontally. Draw a face, using large shapes that fill the paper. I tell the students to begin with the nose shape and move toward the edge of the paper. It is important to fill the paper so not much metal is wasted. Patterns should be added to parts of the face as well. Using a light box or window, flip the paper over and trace the other side of the face, making it symmetrical. T

I'm not gonna lie-- I saw these owls on a school's website and loved them, so I came up with my own method for making them. I did these with 1st graders this year & they turned out great. Supplies: waxed paper (I order a huge roll and use it all year. It is a great work surface!), rolling pin (mine is from Bed, Bath, & Beyond), tapestry needles for cutting, school sized straws, texture plates, clay, water, seashell, glazes, kiln. I use Amaco White Art Clay #25. It bique fires to a pure white and makes glazes look fabulous. Texture plates. I get these register tape receipt rolls from my parents, who own a business. They make awesome eyes. We use tapestry needles to cut our clay. I'm not sure where I learned this. Ohio State maybe? Using the tapestry needle, cut around the oval pattern. Remove excess clay. Place a texture plate on the bottom half of the clay and roll over top to transfer the design. Peel back the texture plate to reveal the magic