Lower School Art

Lines and Patterns
Students will learn about various types of line and create their own squares of patterns made from line and color. These will then be used to create a fabric design paper doll.
Concepts: Line, pattern color 
Materials: Paper, crayons

Meet the Artist: Matisse
Students will watch a video about Matisse (Mati and Dada) and then create a cut or torn paper collage in the style of Matisse. These will then be arranged together to form a larger artwork.
Concepts: Paper cutting, collage, design, collaboration
Materials: Colored paper, scissors

Learning about Color and Symmetry
Students will learn about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. They will create colors by overlapping tissue paper squares to decorate a butterfly shape. They will look at photos of butterflies to study nature’s symmetry.
Concepts: Color theory, symmetry, nature, gluing

Author Pat Mora and Illustrator Rafael Lopez
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with Hermana Sheila, we will read “Book Fiesta,” and look at the illustrations of Rafael Lopez, and learn about illustration styles.

A Web Trip to the National Gallery of Art
Students will see a presentation from the NGA Kids site, to study a painting (to be determined by the classroom curriculum that is happening that week). They will then respond to the painting.
Concepts: To explore a museum online, and to respond to a piece of classical art
                    
Watercolor Fun
Students will learn to work with watercolor paints, and oil pastel resist by drawing a fish then using a watercolor wash over the fish. To create a texture; salt will be sprinkled on the wet surface. Photos of various fish will be given for the students to work from.
Concepts: Using watercolor properly, watercolor washes, salt resist, drawing from a photo, texture
Materials: Watercolor paints and paper, oil pastels, salt
                    
How to Draw a Face
Students will look at portraits by various artists and discuss self-portraiture. They will also receive instruction about facial proportion, shapes, individual features. Then each student will draw a self-portrait using a mirror and crayons and colored pencils.
Concepts: Self-portraiture, symmetry, observational drawing
Materials: Paper, crayons, colored pencils
                    
3D Masks
Students will look at a variety of masks from different cultures (Africa, China, Native America) and create masks that express their own creativity.
Concept: Masks and their uses in different cultures, design, creative use of multiple mediums 
Materials: 3D paper mask base, tissue paper, markers, cloth, glue
                    
Meet the Artist: Degas
Students will be read “Degas and the Little Dancer,” and watch a video to learn about Degas. They will then experiment with chalk pastel on paper and the basic elements of drawing a figure.
Concept: Figure drawing, art history
Materials: Chalk pastels, colored paper

Kente Cloth
Students will learn about Kente cloth from Africa and about the weaving process. They will then draw patterns on strips of colored paper and assemble them into their own Kente cloth designs, which they will apply to their own paper doll self-portraits.
Concepts: Pattern, weaving, color
Materials: Photocopies of kente designs, paper bags, assorted mediums
                    
How to Draw a Flower
Students will observe the many ways artists have depicted flowers and discuss artistic style and realism versus stylization. Then the teacher will guide the students through instructions on how to draw several types of flowers.
Concepts: Artistic style and history, nature 
Materials: Oil pastels, colored pencils

Drawing from Nature
We will take our sketchbooks outside into the garden and draw from nature.
Concepts: Drawing from nature, observation
Materials: Sketchbooks, crayons

Line, Shape, and Color- Matthew’s Dream
Students will read “Matthew’s Dream,” written and illustrated by Leo Lionni, and respond to the book by designing their own abstract artwork using a variety of lines, shapes, and colors.
Concepts: principles of art, line, shape, pattern, space, color 
Materials: paper, markers

Meet the Artist: Eric Carle
Students will learn about illustrator and author Eric Carle by reading several of his books. They will then create their own paper using markers and coffee filter paper, and use these to make collages in the style of Eric Carle.
Concept: color, papermaking, illustration
Materials: markers, paper, coffee filters

Learning About Color: Elmer the Elephant
Students will read Elmer the Patchwork Elephant by David McKee, and learn about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. They will then create a collage of Elmer using colored tissue.
Concepts: color mixing, collage 
Materials: colored tissue, mod podge, paper, markers

Author Arthur Dorros and Illustrator Elisa Kleven
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with Hermana Sheila, students will read “Abuela” by Arthur Dorros, illustrated by Elisa Kleven. They will study and respond to the layering and texture of Elisa Kleven’s illustration style.
Concepts: illustration, collage, artistic style

A Web Trip to the National Gallery of Art
Students will see a presentation from the NGA Kids site, to study a painting (to be determined by the curriculum. They will then respond to the painting.
Concepts: to explore a museum online, and to respond to a piece of classical art

Watercolor Fun
Students will work with watercolor paints and oil pastel resist by drawing a tree then using a watercolor wash over the tree. Salt will then be used to create a texture in the wet watercolor.
Concepts: how to draw a tree, watercolors, salt resist, texture 
Materials: watercolor paints and paper, oil pastels, salt 

How to Draw a Face
Students will look at portraits by various artists and discuss self-portraiture. They will also receive instruction about facial proportions, shapes, and individual features. Then each student will draw a self-portrait using a mirror and crayons or colored pencils.
Concepts: self-portraiture, symmetry, observational drawing 
Materials: paper, crayons, pencils

African Mud Cloth: Bogolanfini
Students will study Bogolanfini, African mud cloth from the Bamana tribe of Mali, West Africa. They will then create their own mud cloth designs by using a limited tempera paint palette and repeat designs.
Concepts: culture, color palette, design, pattern 
Materials: construction paper, tempera paint

Meet the Artist: Renoir
Students will see the art of Auguste Renoir, and learn about Impressionism. They will then respond to his art by creating a piece of art depicting a family member. Concepts: Impressionism, portraiture, and painting 
Materials: watercolor or tempera paints, paper

Flower Studies
Students will view flower studies by John James Audubon, and will then go out into the Bay View garden to observe from nature. They will then draw from nature in their sketchbooks.
Concepts: nature study, flower structure, drawing
Materials: sketchbooks, colored pencil, crayons

Washi Paper Kimonos
Students will learn about Washi paper and patterns, and create a kimono figure self-portrait from Washi paper and watercolor.
Concepts: art history, culture, pattern 
Materials: Washi paper, watercolor

Drawing “How-To” Lessons
Students will learn basic how-to steps for drawing various animals and objects, based on their requests and interests.

Line, Shape, and Color-the Art of Reggie Laurent
Students will see art by abstract artist Reggie Laurent. They will then create their own individual collages by applying oil pastel lines and patterns to cut paper shapes. All of the works will then be displayed as a collaborative “quilt” of designs.
Concepts: abstract art, line, pattern, shape, space, color, collage 
Materials: paper, oil pastel

Meet the Artist: Vincent Van Gogh
Students will read Camille and the Sunflowers by Laurence Anholt, and study Van Gogh’s painting of Sunflowers. They will then create their own sunflower art by working from photos.
Concepts: art history, drawing from nature, form, color 
Materials: pastel, colored paper

Meet the Artist: Tomie De Paola
Students will learn about Tomie De Paola and his journey to become an author/illustrator. They will learn about illustration and publishing and see art specs, sketches, finishes, and a printed book from a local illustrator.
Concept: illustration as an art and career

Hispanic Heritage Month: Gary Soto, poet and children’s book author
Students will read Gary Soto’s books Too Many Tamales, and Chato’s Kitchen, and compare the illustration styles of Ed Martinez and Susan Guevara

A Web Trip to the National Gallery of Art
Students will see a presentation from The National Gallery of Art Kids website, to study a painting (to be determined by the classroom curriculum that is happening that week). Students will then respond to the painting.
Concepts: to explore a museum online, and to respond to a piece of classical art

The Flower Paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe
Students will read My Name is Georgia by Jeanette Winter. They will then view a series of flower paintings by O’Keeffe and respond by making their own pastel and watercolor paintings of flowers.
Concepts: watercolor, pastels, art history 
Materials: watercolors, pastels, paper

Patterns: Mandalas
Students will view mandalas from different cultures and learn about symmetry and repetition in design. They will then create their own mandala design by using colored paper shapes to build a circular symmetrical design.
Concepts: art history, pattern, color, symmetry, symbolism 
Materials: colored paper

Mona Lisa Smile - How to Draw a Face
Students will learn about the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. They will then be instructed on the elements of drawing the face and be given mirrors to use in drawing a self-portrait.
Concepts: art history, self-portraits, symmetry in nature, drawing, painting 
Materials: pencils, markers

The Chick Project
During the chick project, students will draw from photos of chicks, in chalk pastel on colored paper.
Concepts: drawing animals, texture, chalk pastel techniques 
Materials: photos, chalk pastels, paper

Chinese Couplets-Duilian
To celebrate Chinese New Year, students will make their own Chinese couplet banners by choosing Chinese characters to cut out or draw, and create a poem.
Concepts: culture, poetry, and art

Meet the Artist: Mary Cassatt
Students will view the video Getting to Know Mary Cassatt, and then will respond by drawing a picture of a favorite family memory.
Concepts: art history, storytelling through art/illustration, proportions of the figure 
Materials: paper, mixed media

Collage Cityscape
Students will view Judith Moffatt’s cut paper books City Lights and Starry Nights and create a cut paper cityscape in a limited color palette.
Concepts: cut paper, color, form 
Materials: colored paper

Paper Quilling
Students will see examples of traditional paper quilling. They will then create their own paper quill design.
Concepts: 3D design, art history
Materials: paper

Nature Drawing
Students will take their sketchbooks outside into BayView’s garden to sketch from nature.
 

The Elements of Design - the Art of Paul Klee
Students will view a video about the art of Paul Klee, and view works of art including The Castle and the Moon, and respond by drawing their own version of a castle using geometric shapes, line, color, and pattern.
Concepts: art history, pattern, shape, color
Materials: marker, colored pencil, crayon, paper

Hispanic Heritage Month - Frida Kahlo
Students will study the self-portraits of Frida Kahlo, and respond by creating a self-portrait that contains symbols unique to them.
Concepts: art history, self-portraiture, symbolism 
Materials: paper, mixed media

A Web Trip to the National Gallery of Art
Students will see a presentation from the National Gallery of Art Kids website, to study a painting (to be determined by classroom curriculum). They will then respond to the painting.
Concepts: to explore a museum online, and to respond to a piece of art.

Meet the Artist: Faith Ringgold
Students will study the work of author/illustrator Faith Ringgold, and create their own “story quilt’ using drawing and collage.
Concepts: memory story, illustration, art history
Materials: collage elements, paper, colored pencils, mixed media

Watercolor Fun
Students will explore watercolor techniques by mixing primary colors and creating secondary and tertiary colors, using watercolor paper, oil pastel, wet on wet technique, dry brush, and salt texture.
Concepts: watercolor techniques, color theory 
Materials: watercolors, oil pastels, salt, paper 

Nature Mandalas
Students will study the art of Kathy Klein, and create mandala designs in nature, from leaves, stones, shells, petals, sticks, etc. We will then photograph these designs to preserve them.
Concepts: nature art, installation art, photographs, mandalas 
Materials: natural materials

Meet the Artist: Pablo Picasso
Students will study the style of Cubism through the art of Pablo Picasso, then create cubist self-portraits.
Concepts: art history, self-portraiture
Materials: watercolors, collage, paper, markers, pencil

Native American Kachina Doll Designs
Students will view Kachina doll designs and study the symbolic meaning of their art. They will then create their own Kachina design incorporating their individual symbolism.
Concepts: world history, symbolism 
Materials: brown paper, markers, oil pastels

Origami Animals and Paper Cutting
Students will see examples of paper cutting from Japan and China, and study origami techniques. They will then create simple origami and paper cut animals.
Concepts: paper cutting 
Materials: paper

Drawing How-To
Students will be given basic how-to drawing lessons on various subjects, based on their requests

Leonardo Da Vinci, Artist, and Inventor
Students will see a video about Leonardo Da Vinci and learn about his life as an artist and inventor. They will discuss how art and invention are connected by creativity and respond by sketching their own invention in their sketchbooks.
Concepts: creativity, invention, sketching 
Materials: pencil, paper tempera paints

Nature Drawing
Students will take their sketchbooks outside into Bay View’s garden to sketch from nature.

RISD Field Trip
Students will have a field trip to Rhode Island School of Design, conducted by museum docents, and geared to current curriculum.

Silhouette Self Portraits
Students will learn about the silhouette as an early form of portraiture, and see examples of such. They will then have their own silhouette traced from a classroom photo and fill this outline with elements that describe their individual personalities.
Concepts: self-expression, self-portraiture, illustration 
Materials: paper, markers, colored pencils, watercolor
                    
Meet the Artist: Monet
Students will read Linnea in Monet’s Garden and view examples of Monet’s paintings. They will learn about the Impressionist movement. They will take a walk through Bay View’s Prayer Garden and take notes on the flowers. They will then respond by creating a flower picture in the manner of Monet.
Concept: art history, drawing from life, watercolor techniques
Materials: watercolors, paper, pencils

Color Theory
Students will discuss color theory and color mixing of primary colors to create secondary and tertiary colors. They will then do a watercolor piece of leaves using color mixing, oil pastel resist, and salt techniques.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Papel Picado
Students will view the colorful art of paper cutting from Mexico, and create their own Papel Picado banners.
Concept: world culture, paper cutting 
Materials: paper

Eastern Woodlands Native American Art
Students will study the unique art of the Eastern Woodlands Native Americans, including beading and wampum. They will then respond by designing their own version of bead or wampum decoration.
Concepts: culture, history, design 
Materials: beads, shells, drawing materials
                    
A Web Trip to the National Gallery of Art
Students will see a presentation from the National Gallery of Art Kids Website, to study a painting ( to be determined by that week’s classroom curriculum). They will then respond to that painting.

Organic Art in the Style of Raewyn Harris of New Zealand
Students will view the art of Raewyn Harris, based on the spiral structure of the Koru plant. They will then create their own art pieces using spiral organic designs from photos of ferns and the Koru plant, and be instructed in watercolor values and shading.
Concepts: nature, organic forms, watercolor shading, values 
Materials: paper, watercolor, colored pencil, oil pastel
                    
Pattern - Zentangles
Students will view examples of pattern from various world cultures. They will then study Zentangles, discuss pattern, line, and design, and create their own Zentangles with a marker, incorporating their own designs or patterns from world cultures.
Concepts: world culture, pattern, line, design, abstract art 
Materials: paper, black marker
                    
Shading with Colored Pencil
Students will read Snowmen at Night. They will then draw scenes of snowmen using shading techniques with colored pencil, oil pastel, and chalk pastel, using basic shapes.
Concepts: illustration, form, value, technique 
Materials: paper, colored pencil, oil pastels

Meet the Artist: Gustav Klimt
Students will read about post-impressionist artist Gustav Klimt, and create a self-portrait in the style of the artist using photos of themselves and paper tiles and metallic markers.
Concepts: mosaics, patterns, art history, self-expression 
Materials: black paper, photos, gold paper, metallic markers

Crazy Hair-CD Cover Designs
Students will view poster designs from the pop art movement, graphic design icons, (Milton Glaser, Peter Max) and then design a “crazy hair” picture to illustrate an imagined CD cover.
Concepts: graphic design, self-portraiture, commercial art 
Materials: markers, paper, colored pencil

Meet the Artist: Georges Seurat
Students will view the art of Georges Seurat, and learn about pointillism and the post-impressionist art movement. They will then create a piece of art using the pointillism technique.
Concepts: art history, pointillism, post-impressionism 
Materials: markers, paper

Nature Drawing
Students will take their sketchbooks outside into Bay View’s garden to sketch from nature.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Meet the Artist Judy Baca
Students will learn about the art of activist, educator, muralist Judy Baca, and her projects, The World Wall, and the LA Wall. They will then create their own panels on canvas to express their own ideas on making a difference in the world. We will then display these panels to create our own collaborative mural.
Concepts: murals, activism, culture
Materials: canvas panels and acrylic paints
                    
Color Theory and Watercolor Techniques
Students will use red, yellow and blue watercolors to create a full-color palette from just three colors. They will experiment with various watercolor techniques, including dry brush, wet on wet, resist, straws, salt.
Concept: color theory, color mixing, technique 
Materials: watercolors, oil pastels, paper

Mayan and Aztec Design
Students will study the art of Mayan and Aztec culture. They will then create their own artworks using the unique style of these cultures, making paper tiled mosaic masks or scenes.
Concept: mosaics, color, world culture, art history 
Materials: paper

A Web Trip to the National Gallery of Art
Students will see a presentation from the National Gallery Kids Art website, to study a work of art (curriculum based). They will then respond to that piece of art.

Colored Pencil Technique
Students will watch a video about shading with colored pencil. They will then draw from a still life arrangement using shading techniques.
Concepts: illustration, still life, form, value 
Materials: colored pencil, paper
                    
Meet the Artist: Martin Johnson Heade
Students will view the hummingbird paintings of artist and naturalist Martin Johnson Heade. They will then create their own naturalist paintings of hummingbirds using photo reference.
Concepts: art history, photo research, painting
Materials: paper, watercolors

Grid Mural
Students will work in collaboration to create a mural based on the method of grid enlargement. A piece of classic art (to be determined) will be divided into squares, and each student will interpret a square in the medium of their choice. The squares will then be put together to create
a reproduction of the painting.
Concepts: grid enlargement, art history, group collaboration 
Materials: students’ choice

Meet the Artist: Henri Rousseau
Students will study the paintings of Henri Rousseau, and learn about post-impressionism. They will then create a jungle painting inspired by his style, including the depiction of many various leaf shapes. We will tour the foliage on the Bay View campus to observe and sketch the variety of foliage existing even in our own landscape. Concepts: Nature observation, art history, post-impressionism, painting 
Materials: paper, tempera paints

Self-Portraits
Students will study various self-portraits of artists through history, and discuss styles and methods of self-portraiture. We will review the basics of drawing a face, symmetry, and structure. They will then create a self-portrait, using the medium of their choice.
Concepts: drawing, symmetry, self-portraiture
Materials: paper, mixed media

RISD Field Trip
Students will have a two-session program taught by Rhode Island School of Design’s Education Dept., in which educators from RISD come to Bay View and conduct a class based on the current curriculum for grade 5, followed by a field trip to the museum.

Chinese Opera Masks
Students will view examples and learn the meanings of colors in Chinese Opera masks. They will design their own masks based on color symbolism. They will apply color to paper masks.
Concepts: world history, symbolism, color, design 
Materials: paper masks, markers 

Nature Drawing
Students will take their sketchbooks into BayView’s garden to draw from nature.