Bauer Elementary: Very Hungry Kindergarteners...I mean Caterpillars!

Kindergarten artists at Bauer Elementary had a blast with this lesson! This project concluded our Eric Carle artist study and was a big hit, especially because clay was involved! First, we read the classic book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which the students read along with me. We then drew very large leaves - big enough to feed the hungry caterpillar, of course! Next, students used tempera cakes for painting the leaves. The following class period, students were each given a small amount of pre-colored green model magic clay (I mixed a batch of white clay with green tempera paint ahead of time). One of our learning goals was to create a sphere out of clay. The students had a lot of practice doing this during the lesson! They were given a few pom-poms at each table to use for measuring their spheres. Students lined up each sphere on wax paper and made a final red sphere for the head. The third and final day of this lesson involved cutting out their large leaves, hole punching where the caterpillar "munched," and gluing their caterpillars to their leaves! Small red pipe cleaners for antennae and sticky googly eyes (yes, they exist and are awesome!) added the final touch!

Learning Goals:

I can shape clay into a sphere

I can recognize art by Eric Carle

I can paint with care and use art tools appropriately

**Reminder: See you at the Art Show! Hudsonville City Hall - April 20-28!**

Bauer Elementary: Second Grade Leaf Prints

Second grade students at Bauer Elementary learned about printmaking by viewing examples of print art, and discussing where we might see prints in everyday life. Some examples the students mentioned include footprints in sand, fingerprints on windows, and animal tracks along a trail. 

Next, they demonstrated this technique using realistic leaf stamps. Students carefully painted the stamps, turned them over, and “tip-toed” with their fingertips to ensure the print was evenly transferred!

Once the prints dried, we identified and discussed warm colors. Second graders used "warm" colored pencils, plus a touch of brown, to create a few colorful leaves adding a nice touch to their beautiful print art! 

To complete the project, each child took turns visiting their peers' tables and complimenting them on their artwork. Students were encouraged to use art vocabulary from the lesson. They did a fabulous job and enjoyed this very much! A few compliments I heard were, "I like how you used different warm colors on each leaf," and "This is my favorite leaf print on your paper." Way to go second graders!

Learning Targets:
I can create print art using stamps.
I can name warm colors and use them in my artwork.

How to Set Up an Art Show

First teach really great art lessons.  

It helps when you have special art teachers.

Then add really great art that our talented students made.

Bagels are good too. 

A great big room.  

Thanks to the Hudsonville City Hall for letting us use their space.

Ladders, 

labels, some twine, hours and hours of prep are all part of it.

 Really great High School art student helpers

 Done !!

Happy art teachers.

Proud parents and honored artists. 

This year's art show runs from April 21- 29! Click here for more details!