Northern Lights- Oil Pastels

Project: In this project, we were taught about the northern lights and how they appear in the sky. Following the lecture, we were taught six different ways to use and draw with oil pastels. We then used a black sheet of paper and drew out mountains, and then cut them out. We use this as a stencil first before setting it aside and traced it on our other black paper so we could see where the mountains were gonna be and how much sky would show. We then grabbed our oil pastels and used bright colors and the techniques we learned, and colored the sky. Once we were done, we colored white tips on the top of our mountains and glued that black paper down on top of the oil pastel paper. We then had the option to add stars or a moon. In this project, we had to finish with at least three different colors in the sky. 

Extension: During the lesson learning about the northern lights, we could expand on it and learn more about the atmosphere, space, and the planets. We could then do an oil pastel project with the planets and our solar system. 

Clay

 Project: Students begin by wedging (kneading, slamming, and slapping) the clay that they were given. After wedging the clay, students rolled out their clay using rolling pins and wooden pieces to get their slab rolled out evenly. We then all decided on a flower design and either chose to make rolls to create the flower petals as borders or cut out petals and mold them together. When we were finished making he flowers flat on the table, we picked them up and placed them in a bowl to form into a more flower shape with curvature. 

Extension: Students can write about a flower they researched and find out where it grows, the type of nutrients it needs, how long it blooms for, and other interesting facts about their flower. Then these can be presented to the class, and the papers and a picture of their flower can be posted in the school hallway for other classes to learn and see their flowers. 

Crafting

Project: For this crafting project we included many different types of media into our craft. We created a watercolor base for a lily pad with a 3D lily pad and flower. We were instructed to use three types of media: crayon, marker, and paper. We did the water color base and added salt to the water once it was on our paper, creating an effect of crystals on our painting. Then we cut out the green lily pad, the flower, and the pink inside of the flower and hot-glued them all together. We then removed the tape around our paint, finishing the project with clean lines. 

Extension: We could turn this into an ecosystem lesson and learn about frogs and their life cycle and how they change throughout their life. Then learn about where they live and what they eat. Bringing in more information with the lily pad and water life. 

Paper cutting

Project: In this project, we got to use tissue paper and learn to fold it in a certain way. We then began cutting small shapes into each section, and after unfolding, we discovered a beautiful cut-out paper. 
 

 

 Extension: We could create snowflakes with this same technique, just use circles. The whole elementary school could participate, and we could have snowflakes decorate the hallways down the school. 

Andy Warhol, Printmaking

Project: In this activity, we learned about Andy Warhol and how he became popular with printmaking and using bright colors. We taught everyone how to use rollers and foam pieces to create their own prints. Everyone got to draw their own two flowers and then trace their paper over a foam piece. After that, they used rollers and rolled paint over the foam squares, then pressed them onto their gallery paper. Every student had to draw two flowers and work in pairs, and stamp four times. 

Extension: The students could cut around their flowers and place them on a drawing with a vase, and then every student could create their own vase of flowers for a Mother's Day project. 
 

Stained-Glass Windows

 Activity: In this activity, we were able to make simple stained-glass windows in the classroom. We first learned about a famous artist and how he created stained-glass windows and his own techniques. We first started off by drawing four different examples of our own window, then we chose one and created it on a larger piece of paper. Once our final drawing was complete, we put a clear piece of material over it, taped it to the table to prevent it from moving, and drew our lines with a Sharpie. We completed it by coloring our clear piece of material with at least three colors and could hang it in a window to see its final effect.

Extension: An extension activity from this could be working with science and learning how light and water reflect off each other. Talking about rainbows and how they appear when it rains. Where do the different colors come from? Or, even when you spray a sprinkler outside, if the sun hits it right, a small part of a rainbow will appear. 

Watercolor

 Activity: In this activity, we learned four different techniques on how to paint with watercolors. We then learned about a watercolor artist and how he became famous. As a class, we were walked through how to draw the walls and floor, then a table with a flower vase on it. Then we used a black sharpie and went over all of our pencil lines. This helped later to keep the watercolors in their area. We then began painting using our watercolors, and we had to use three different techniques in our drawing that we learned at the beginning of the lesson. 

Extension: An extension activity could be going on a nature walk and seeing different leaves and flowers and all their different colors. Learning about the seasons and how these colors change. Then, using watercolors to demonstrate the cycle of a certain leaf or flower changing. 

Hidden Safari

 Activity: Students got to choose a safari animal to draw in a light blue colored pencil. After students drew the animal, they used warm colors (red, orange, and yellow) to create different patterns that covered the entire page. They were able to use different colored crayons to create at least three different patterns. The patterns were to help disguise their animal. After, students glued their paper to the background color. They also wrote three clues to help people guess what their animal is. Students then used the red film glasses they made to see what each other's animals looked like.

Extension Activity: We could cover a lesson on life science and learn about different animals in different ecosystems. Learn about the different animals that live in certain environments and why. Each kid could research a new animal and present information on where it lives, why it lives there, features about it, and then create a new hidden page with their new animal, including three new clues. Other classes can then interact with it.