5th Grade -- Layered Pumpkin Compositions

So, while 5th graders at one building were preparing for their 5th Grade Production of Treasure Island, my 5th graders at my other school were having art class as normal.

I LOVE doing pumpkin projects.  I do believe it has to do with the fact that my grandparents grew pumpkins for years and I spent my early childhood in the Pumpkin Hut during pumpkin season.  I don't remember much of harvest time, being so young I was mostly entertained and kept out of the way.  I do remember kitties, community, LOTS of pumpkins and AWESOME decorations on the farm.  Most of the city I grew up in bought their pumpkins at the Novak Pumpkin Patch.  In fact, people still stop by from time to time and knock on my Grandma's door asking about the pumpkin patch.  Being so far from family, pumpkins always make me feel close to them - so I try and do pumpkin projects with all my grade levels.  (A plus with doing pumpkins and NOT Halloween is that ALL students can participate!)

http://insightsandbellylaughs.com/

Back to the project.  So this started out as a piece of artwork that I saw on Pinterest (love that site).  I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it, but I knew at some point it would be inspiration for a great project.  (I also love this artist's site - lots of great, bold, colorful papers: http://insightsandbellylaughs.com/)

I was trying to figure out a project for my 5th graders that would be engaging and more than just drawing a pumpkin.  Then BAM it hit me.  We will do a colorful background, then draw a pumpkin from a zoomed-in, unique angle on a piece of transparency!!!  PERFECT!

Off I went designing a lesson and guiding my students.  So, first we started with the background.  I didn't tell them what they were going to be used for because I didn't want them to try and plan an orange pumpkin section.  I wanted them to be free and full of color.  I really wanted to use tempra paint, but my order wasn't in yet - so we used oil pastels, chalk pastels, and water color.

I had the students divide their paper with different types of lines using oil pastel.  Then they colored in sections of their paper with chalk pastel.  Last, but not least, students used either plain water or water color and 'painted' over their chalk.  Students that used watercolor over their chalk had beautiful BOLD, BRIGHT colors.  Students that used plain water were still beautiful, but less bright.

After their background was done we talked about using view finders (two "L" shaped papers to make a frame that is adjustable).  I had about six pictures of pumpkins from different angles - I had students use their view finders to find a unique composition on one of the pumpkins.  Now, I realize that using REAL pumpkins would have been better - but pumpkins are expensive and I would have needed at least 8 - wasn't in the budget.  Any how, so students drew their compositions on a piece of printer paper.  I showed them how to draw as simple line drawing - looking on their pumpkin and where it starts in the frames, find that spot on the paper, then crawl along the line like an ant and draw as you go.  I told them their eyes should be always moving - it will look weird to start.  I showed them to occasionally stop and make sure they are in the right spot on their paper as they are in their frame.  Next, add the stem - I tried to stress to draw what they see NOT what they know.  Many students came to me with beautiful drawings and these really odd stems in strange places.  Quite often these students would look at me and say, "I don't like it.  It looks weird."  I would take them to their picture and show them that their brain knows the stem is at the top of the pumpkin but in your picture the stem actually is in the middle of your pumpkin and just the tip of the stem pokes out off the top.  Most of the kids you could hear the light bulb go on and they totally understood, a few still had trouble seeing instead of 'knowing'.

When students were happy with their pencil drawing I handed them a clear transparency and a sharpie. Students traced their work - dark lines are thick and light lines are thin.  Some students chose to add simple lines in the background to help their pumpkin stand out.

My Example

These are really remarkable - the pictures don't do these justice as it flattens them out way too much - also it was hard to get a picture without a terrible glare.  So, you might have to do a little of imagining what they truly look like.

Sign Language Hands - 3rd Grade

This lesson is one of my favorites for 3rd grade -- it is difficult, but also very rewarding for the students. 

I came up with this lesson in my very first year of teaching as my class was coming in.  It was the time of year when snow storms, ice storms, and ridiculously cold days had chopped up our weeks and projects due to days off.  I was teaching my day like normal when BAM it hit me as my kids were walking in - I had no project for them.  Nothing.  Zip. They finished what everyone else was working on finishing -- my mind was reeling!  What on earth was I going to do with a classroom full of 3rd graders for art?!?!?  Then just as fast as I realized I had nothing BAM - an idea. 

I will have them write words in sign language.

I quickly went to the internet, found a sign language alphabet and printed off copies while the class was settling.  As my trustworthy student went to get the copies I explain to the class that this next project was going to be tough - that it might be frustrating.  I asked them if it was okay to be frustrated - they said, "Yes".  I asked if it was okay to give up - they said, "No".  I explained that I would help, but I wouldn't do it for them, and that sometimes they would have to wait for my help.

Once we covered that and students seemed in the right mind set I told them our plan was to draw letters using sign language to spell a word.  Most students became excited, a few winced, a few flashes of fear.  We went through the alphabet as a class - making each letter on our hand (this seemed to help those that winced and panicked).

Next, I did a demonstration where I drew some of the letters - thinking out loud while I looked at my hand and back to my paper.  I also did a couple where I only looked at the print out.

I reminded the kids that it might be harder than they expect, but to just keep trying!

Expectations:
- Pick a word between 4 and 6 letters.
- Draw the hands life size or bigger.
- No giving up.

I passed out papers and let the kids go.  The first day tends to be the most frustrating day, as it is harder than they expect.  The second day it is a lot easier for the kids and they tend to take off!  Make sure on the second day to review where the fingernails and wrinkles go, as many tend to get happy about putting them on.

When they are done with their drawing they come to me to approve - I make sure fingernails are in the correct locations.  Next, they outline with Sharpie.  If there is still time that day they look through magazines for letters to glue above each hand.

When these are complete the kids beam at their final project.  They are often very proud and ready to show them off!

Sign Language Hand Collage (3rd)

My third grade students requested to do a drawing assignment after completing their radial designs. I decided having them do a contour drawing would be best.

Students Learned/Practiced:
--Contour (outline) drawing
--Observation
--Patients
--Sign language letters
--Cutting
--Gluing

We started by practicing the sign language alphabet as a class. I then showed them the easiest way to draw the outline of their hand. I prepared them to be frustrated, but that this lesson is all about trying and doing your best -- many of the students really gave it their all and did an amazing job!

The students either drew on the final paper or on scratch paper 3-5 letters making up a work or initials. Once the students drew their letters they used magazines or drawings to collage the background in a way that represented the word/initials that they drew.

The two examples shown: The first says 'Austin' and is collaged with things he likes. The second spells 'LOL' (laugh out loud) and there are pictures of people smiling and laughing!