Keith Haring Lesson : Day 2

Keith Haring is such a kid friendly artist.  His work appeals to all ages.  I recently focused on Keith Haring's work for my Kindergarten and first graders.  Here are the lessons!  I think next time, if materials allow I would have them cut each shape and glue it on the background.

"Art is for everybody." - Keith Haring

Part 1: Keith Haring Street Art (Chalk) (outdoors)

Part 2:
     The Kindergarten and 1st grade students loved learning about Keith Haring.  His art is so kid friendly.  This lesson the kids already had an understand of who Keith Haring was, his subjects, and where he worked.

    Lesson can be found: HERE

One clever boy turned his into Superman Keith Haring style!

Critiquing in the Elementary School Art Classroom

Too often students are not taught how to look at art, know its purpose, see the elements and principles, and how to talk about art.  Getting the students especially in the elementary school classroom to do this is like pulling teeth. But why not make it fun? My students are learning how to do these things through an art critique.  Yes, I know they are only in elementary school, but it is never too early to understand why something looks nice.

Each student is given 3 critique cards. These are used like casting votes for pieces.
       - Frame: The piece they would put in a museum.
       - House: The piece they would put in their house.
       - Money:  The piece they would sell.

To see slideshow and full details go to : Critique slideshow.

Once votes have been cast, a class discussion is started.  The kids have so much fun with this.  It is different from the normal art class they are used to.  Check out my lesson (**link to come) and slideshow for full details.  I modified this idea from something a professor in college taught me.  Honestly, at the time I thought it was a dumb idea, but after talking with the kids and spending more time with them, I am realizing how genius it really is.

Tell me what you think!  Would you change anything?

Will The Real Picasso Please Stand Up!

     I started "Picasso Portraits" with my Kindergarten and 1st grade classes this week!  I had a blast.  To create the profile part we traced their faces against the table attempting not to giggle, with little success in that department.  The children really enjoyed not worrying about things being "perfect," and letting their imaginations run free.  But I have to say, my favorite part was playing the game "Will The Real Picasso Please Stand Up!"  Each child claimed they were the real Picasso.   

Lesson: HERE

Slideshow I used with this lesson: HERE

Video for the lesson (I altered the lesson) : HERE

Jellyfish: Special Education

Student Example

Coming up with art lessons geared for the EC or Special Education children has turned out to be harder than I first thought.  I want to keep the children engaged in the material, while still learning and having fun.  Coloring pages get boring.

In this project the kids were to make their own jellyfish. The kids had a blast! The ribbons gave their jellyfish motion as they played with their art.

I first showed the students a small video on jellyfish (here).  While the children worked I left images of jellyfish up on the ActivBoard (here).



Materials
Thin paper plates (1/2 per child)
Crayons
Glue
Thin paper strips
Ribbon
Scissors


I would have liked to only use ribbon, and avoided the paper strips but available materials didn't provide for that.

Check out my Pintrest board for EC children here.

Sub Plans: I'll Take The Cake

The paperwork has taken a little longer than expected, so I will officially start tuesday! But in the meantime I had to create a sub lesson.  I don't want to overload the sub.  I found this video while browsing printerest. It is great! All the sub has to do is follow the directions on the video while the students learn about Wayne Thiebaud. I changed the assignment by having them use colored pencils.

You can find my pinterest board for sub plans here.