Georgetown Elementary: Kindergarten Artists

At Hudsonville Public Schools, each elementary grade has at least three artists they are required to be introduced to. Dutch artist, Piet Mondrian, is one of the artists for Kindergarten. Kindergarten students at Georgetown Elementary had fun learning about him because he painted with primary colors and straight lines. Each artist made four small squares by gluing strips of paper in Mondrian style, and many made an extra one to take home with them.

See more Mini Mondrians at our ARTSONIA on-line Art Gallery!

Reporting from Jamestown Elementary: "What I learned about Self-Portrait Collage!"

Fifth Graders at Jamestown Elementary used canvas boards and various collage materials to create their own self-portait! First, they thought about the proportions of the face and used mirrors to draw themselves. Second, when they colored their drawings, they also practiced with various blending techniques. Third, they chose a theme and color scheme for their collage materials that represented their personality traits and their interests. 

Learning Goals - "I CAN":

*Use analogous colors to create a blended painted background

*Use correct proportions in a self-portrait

*Use blending techniques with color pencils

*Use a variety of materials with a theme and color scheme in mind to express my personality and interests.

We asked some students to REPORT OUT what they learned during this project and this is what they said:

One thing that I learned about during this project is that self-portraits can be a way to express myself - Logan D. 5th grade

One thing that I learned about during this project is how to express myself in my art projects - Emily 5th grade

One thing that I learned about during this project is how to blend colors while painting a canvas. - Rachel 5th grade

One thing that I learned about during this project is how to choose the best colors that blend well together (analogous colors)  - Tyler M. 5th grade

One thing that I learned about during this project was how to draw a good self-portrait - Aiden 5th grade

One thing that I enjoyed about this project was expressing myself - Anthony 5th Grade

Forest Grove and Bauer Elementary: Texture Hen Collages

Second graders read the book Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum to learn about texture. This is a fun book with great illustrations. The author uses interesting texture words.

On the first day of our project, we painted paper and talked about how to use brushstrokes to create a rough textured look for the feathers and a smooth look for the hen's coat.

Next, we talked about collage and strategies to use when using glue and scissors to create a collage.

Here are some sayings we use in the art room for good craftsmanship!

Glue: "Just a dot, not a lot!"
Scissors: "Turn the paper, not the scissors! Scissors always point, up, up and away!"

Finally, we added the background using oil pastel to make it appear like dirt texture (visual texture) and rocks so that we could actually feel the texture (tactile texture).

Learning goals: I can...
- Create texture
- Create a collage
- Use good craftsmanship