2nd Grade Bugs in Their Habitat

I have recently witnessed the best painting by second grade students that I have ever seen.  Boy, we have some talented students here at Thomas!  I have done a ceramic insect project for the last couple of years.  Kids love bugs, so this year I added an introduction project for the clay bugs.  After learning about body segments (head, thorax & abdomen), exoskeletons, insects, and arachnids, each student used books to research and draw their favorite bug.  We then drew and painted habitats for the bug.  The habitats are drawn very large in order to show the bugs in the correct scale.  The really cool part of the project came next.  The kids all drew their bugs on a piece of tag board.  Once they were colored and cut out, they were able to attach them to the habitat painting using 3D O's.  3D O's are small pieces of foam with adhesive on each side.  It makes the bugs pop right off of the background.  This was the first time I've used that product, and it was a huge it.  

3rd Grade Machine Brains

3rd grade just finished a project that incorporated science into the art room.  We learned about the six different kinds of simple machines.  They include the wedge, inclined plane, pulley, screw, lever, and wheel and axel.  After studying the fantastic machines by artist Rube Goldberg, students designed a complex machine using multiple simple machines.  Their machines do something that usually happens inside their heads.  After finishing the artwork, students each wrote an explanation of their machine that is hanging below the finished art.  This project is currently hanging in the hallway by the art room.  

5th Grade Yearbook Covers

5th Grade recently finished a project based in graphic design.  I was asked to have students submit designs to potentially be on the cover of the yearbook this year.  Students worked in groups and were given the open ended assignment of creating a yearbook using whatever materials they thought were appropriate.  The winning submission was done by Nari J, Sara P, and Tori B.    

1st Grade Rockets in Space

1st grade just finished a project that took them to the final frontier.  After studying space and space travel, each student made a small rocket using construction paper and colored pencils.  They then made up their own planets and used black tempera paint to create the blackness of space.  The rockets were glued down and stars were added to finish the project.  This project is currently on display by the kindergarten classrooms!

2nd Grade Egyptian Cats

2nd grade just finished a project based on Egyptian culture and design.  Each student made an Egyptian cat with many patterns.  In addition to the cat, each student wrote their names in hieroglyphics.  These projects came out very well and are currently on display in the commons.  

5th Grade African Inspired Masks

5th graders just finished a project inspired by African masks.  Each student created a ceramic mask based on a combination of an African animal and a human face.  The results were quite stunning.  Thomas students love working with clay, and it certainly showed with this project.  After the masks were fired, students painted them with acrylic paints, then later used a thin layer of brown tempera over the top to give their masks an aged look.  

Going Green in the Art Room

A big point of emphasis this year in art is going green.  We are trying to be as environmentally responsible as possible.  Students are learning that there are many simple changes they can make to our daily routine that will make a big impact on the amount of waste we produce.  The year began by discussing what we could do in the art room to be more green.  Signs and reminders are posted around the room to help everyone remember to be as green as possible!  I have already noticed a huge reduction in the amount of trash from the art room.  Keep it up, everybody!

4th Grade Snowflake Mosaics

4th grade students recently finished a winter project.  We studied real snowflakes and the shapes they are made up of.  Each student used paper mosaic squares to create several snowflakes using cool colors.  The snowflakes that were made are as unique as real snowflakes.  Great job 4th grade!

3rd Grade Winter Landscapes

3rd Grade students just finished a winter themed project.  They learned about the fold artist, Grandma Moses.  Grandma Moses is famous for her landscape paintings that told a story through images.  Every student painted a winter landscape that told a story about what they like to do outside during the winter.  The project was finished by having students write a paragraph describing their work.