Dali's Long-legged Elephants

I did this project with 4th graders a couple of years ago...really wanted to try it again last year and ran out of time so I squeezed it in early with this year's 3rd graders. We practiced drawing elephants in our idea books and then went for it on the 9x18 paper. We outlined with black washable marker and drew the background in crayon. After the background is complete, we marker washed the elephants. Can you tell I'm on a marker wash kick lately?

 

 

 

 

Tie-Dye Fall Leaves

I tried this project right before fall break with K, 1 and 2 cause I needed a one-day 'fally' project and these are just beautiful!

 

 

We used coffee filters, drew a large leaf in pencil, then outlined in color sharpie adding designs and patterns for veins.

 

I cut out several large leaf templates for them to trace out of thin cardboard...originally I cut them for the kindergarteners but the other grades ended up using them..which was fine...because it got them to draw the leaves big enough. :)

 

We discussed realistic vs. abstract designs...and don't forget to write your name inside the leaf with sharpie.

Cut the leaf out after the sharpie outlining is done...

The 1st graders did a quick 'observational sketch' in their idea books to add some meat to this lesson.

After the outlining is complete, we colored with washable markers using fall colors.

Then wash with water! Make sure to get all of the coffee filter wet for the full effect.

This is the paper we used underneath to protect the tables...and they are soooo neat. I called them "bonus art"!

 

After they dried, I strung them on a long piece of yarn and hung them out in the hallways like a garland...so pretty for fall decor!

2nd Grade Literary Landscapes

I needed a calming project that would keep these kids busy for a few days so I found this project...can't remember where...maybe Artsonia? But anyways it was great and also incorporated some vertical planning into the lesson.

We talked about adjectives and nouns, landscapes, foreground, middleground and background, and marker wash technique. So it was a well-rounded and meaty lesson great for an observation!

I would recommend not doing the marker wash and just coloring in with crayons instead since the 'marker wash' washed away some words...that took forever to write. :)