Getting to know you...

A new semester means a new group of students. I always try to have the students create a project that helps me get to know them.

 

My 7th grade is working on a project I call "collage me". I found the inspiration on this blog through Pinterest. We used the overhead projector light to create a shadow that we traced on craft paper. The students then searched through magazines to find images of things they like and that inspire them. They must also include their name somewhere in the collage. We discussed composition and craftsmanship. When the project is complete, the students will be asked to complete a written reflection that ties into Indiana visual arts standard 7.6.2.

 

 

 

 

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Continuous line drawing

7th graders learned about the various line qualities. Using this information, students created a drawing that incorporated the use of a continuous line and shape. Students reviewed shape (organic and geometric) and created 8 different shapes. We discussed what makes a composition interesting and they placed their shapes on the page using these concepts. After I ok'd the student's layout, they traced them onto their line composition. Within that shape, students were asked to color in an alternating pattern. Students are typically very successful at this project and enjoy the process and finished product.

The "I" phone

Did you ever think about how much your digital device reveals about you? From the pictures you have, the background you set, and the apps you have downloaded, you reveal a lot about yourself. With this in mind, I had the students in all grades fill in a template of a phone with apps. They could use the images of apps they already had or create their own to show a bit of their interests. They were then asked to design their ideal phone case. The students really enjoyed this activity and will be finishing it today in class using colored pencils.

 

You can get a blank copy of this document here: "i"pad document 

Back to school!

Today was the first day of the 2015-2016 school year. The first day is always my least favorite. I have to stand in front of students and go over rules and procedures. BORING! I did try to break it up with a creative drawing activity at the end.  6th grade was asked to create the ultimate robot maid.




7th grade imagined a universe they could enter through their locker.

8th grade created the ultimate vacation location.  We really had fun with that one!

This short exercise helped me discover students who had a hard time coming up with ideas, their drawing ability/confidence, and a little glimpse into their personality.

Getting to Know You...

Even though it is the middle of the school year, it is like the first week of school in the art room with a brand new group of students to start the new semester. I always like to start off with a project based on the students' names. Most middle school students are excited to create personalized art. I try to pick projects all students can be successful at so they start out on a positive note. I have a few go to name projects but I always like to try new things. My counterpart and I turned to an art teacher's best friend: Pintrest.

For 6th grade, we selected this project from art projects for kids. On day one, we went over how to create a variety of block and bubble letters. Then we discussed facial proportions and created a sketch of the final project. Students then created the "Part of Me" project on 9x12 drawing paper and used colored pencils to complete it. View the Fegely Artsonia gallery to see more.

7th grade students learned about shape as an element of art through a powerpoint, notes, and discussion. The students filled out an interest survey to help them brainstorm for this project. They were then asked to come up with a shape that somehow describes them or their interests and fill the shape with their names. We discussed and practiced different lettering techniques. View the Artsonia Gallery here.

The eighth graders reviewed positive and negative space then created what I refer to as the "negative name tangle". Drawing lightly in pencil, the students wrote their names. Then, students used sharpies to fill in the negative space with a minimum of 10 patterns and designs. Once the entire page was filled, students erased the pencil lines so the negative space made the positive space visible. View the gallery here.