In Art I Can...

I have my "I Can..." statements presented on a dry erase board.  Placing magnets on the back allows me to move them around with ease and to pull them off quickly if they are needed for closer viewing. Using a dry erase marker makes it easy to change the statements with a swipe.  I try to underline vocabulary that is relevant to the lesson and double underline or place a box around the artist being discussed.

My "I Can..." statements are left up for the entire lesson.  I do not change the statement day to day. With seeing multiple sections of the same grade on different days, I find it much easier to list all the statements for the entire project versus changing it every day.

Do you display "I Can..." statements in your classroom? What are ideas that work for you?

Youth Art Month 2015

Zentangle Inspired Landscapes

Second Grade Lesson
3 Class Periods

Zentangle Landscape, Second Grade Art Lesson

Zentangle: an abstract drawing that uses repetitive patterns.  The idea of a zentangle is to concentrate on the process and fun of line making rather than the overall outcome of the design.

Day 1

Each student selected a 9 x 12 inch piece of construction paper.  Students were shown how to create a border for their composition.  Parts of a landscape were reviewed (foreground, middle ground, background, horizon line), ideas were brainstormed together on types of landscapes that could be created.

Students drew landscapes lightly with pencil and then outlined with a sharpie marker.  Students were instructed to keep ideas simple.

Day 2

On this day students were introduced to zentangles.  A sample zentangle handout was provided for the students as well as demonstration on how to create several different types of zentangles.  

Using a pencil, students set about placing zentangle design within the landscape.  Finished designs were outlined with a sharpie marker.

Day 3

Students finished up any areas that they felt needed more zentangle designs.  Colored pencils were then incorporated in the finishing touches for the composition.

Student Examples

View Finder Dinos (2015)

Fourth Grade Lesson
Two Class Periods

View Finder Dinos, Fourth Grade Art Lesson

Here are a few examples from this year of this wonderful project.  If you would like to see last year's examples or know the details behind the lesson check out my post from last year: View Finder Dinos

I am quite pleased at how well the students take the time to look and draw for this assignment.



 
 

Guidelines for Art Journal Drawing

I created this poster to inform students on the guidelines of how to earn a "Happy Rock" in their art journal.  I discuss with them my four main criteria (use of space, details, creativity and craftsmanship) and how they can improve upon the drawings in their book that have not earned a happy face towards their rock (students must earn 5 happy faces in order to get their rock).  Check out my Happy Rocks post to learn more about this reward system I do in my classroom.