Geometric String Art Installation

I am so excited to share the amazing project my 4th Grade Howe Manning Artovators
have been creating.  This post is a long one, but it's worth it!

I first learned of this project a few years ago when I stumbled across an outdoor string art design 

by A Zen Librarian, Todd Burleson. I knew I had to do something similar!

4th grade Artovators started learning about geometric string art earlier in the year and created their own individual string art pieces.  Check out this link to learn more about what they did.

As they wrapped up their individual string art, I started talking to the students about installations. 

We watched a mini documentary to learn about installation artist Megan Mosholder's process.

Then the big reveal...

I told them that we were going to create our own installation on the grounds of Howe Manning!

I wanted them to have as much ownership in the process as possible.

First, each Artovator answered a 3 question survey to vote for their favorite grid and design.

Finally it was time to create our design, a circle grid with a spectrum design in 4 colors. 

The whole process would need to be spread out over 6 classes.

The first 2 classes (Weeks and Brown) were responsible for laying out the circle grid.  

This required us to find the center of the work site and build a circle around it with a 24 ft. circumference.  We created a makeshift compass from that center point and 

used it to measure steaks every 2 feet all the way around.

Following the grid set up, each of the remaining 4 classes added a new color to create a spectrum design from 4 different directions.

Mrs. Church's Class:

Mrs. Deeley's Class:

After the first 2 colors, it got much trickier - We needed major teamwork to get the job done!

Mrs. Jones' Class:

and finally, Mr. Husson's Class:

The entire 4th grade was so excited to show the school their project. 

We even tried to raise excitement and find ways for the rest of the school to get involved!

We couldn't have done it without all of the wonderful parent volunteers and teachers who helped out.  I especially want to thank our Technology Curriculum Coordinator, Dierdre Baker,
 who worked with us everyday to document the entire process.  

Check out the video she put together to see the 4th grade Artovators in action!

It's Ice Cream Time!

How can we use value to create 3-dimensional forms?

4th Graders are getting their scoopers out just in time for Spring! Students learned about American pop artist Wayne Thiebaud and his use of pale colors, value, and a popular subject matter.

Wayne Thiebaud, Two Jolly Cones, 1920

4th grade artists then applied these concepts to their own ice cream inspired art work.  

Students mixed different tints of color to create dimension and form.  

I was so impressed with the final products!!

As a special treat Ms. Brown's 4th grade class will have their ice cream art on display 

at Richardson's from now until June.  

Stop by and see these talented young artists. What a good excuse to get an ice cream!

Take your picture eating an ice cream in front of your favorite work of art and send it to me.....

you might end up on my blog!

Gnome Homes!

How can a simple form become the base for a unique sculptural work.

4th Grade artists are busy at work hand building whimsical clay gnome homes.  Students learned to use a basic pinch pot form as a starting point for both the roof and base of their clay sculptures.  Students also experimented with different textures to add designs and realistic details to their works.

Mrs. Magrath's 4th graders turning pinch pots into creative roofs.

The next step was to use the same pinch pot technique to create the bottoms of the homes. Students carved in details like doors and windows. They also learned how to attach pieces of their clay using the slip and score method. Students attached door knobs, curtains, benches, and even tiny pairs of gnome shoes waiting outside the door. I loved seeing all of their creative ideas!

Finally they added color.  Fourth graders choose 3 contrasting colors for their tops 

and used the reverse color pallet for the bottoms.  

The finished projects were adorable and the students were so excited about them!

It's Ice Cream Time!!

4th Graders are getting their scoopers out just in time for Spring! Students learned about American pop artist Wayne Thiebaud and his use of pale colors, value, and a popular subject matter.

Wayne Thiebaud, Four Ice Cream Cones, 1964

4th grade artists then applied these concepts to their own ice cream inspired art work.  Students mixed different tints of their color to create dimension and form.  I was so impressed with the final products!!

4th Grade Cityscapes

This lesson packs so many elements of art into 1

Students used stenciling to experiment with positive and negative space to create their buildings. They learned components of perspective as they created bigger brighter details in the foreground and smaller in the background. Finally they successfully manipulated chalk pastels - no easy feat!