Kinder Geometric Shapes

Kinder students are learning about the Elements of Art.  This week we are studying the element of shape, and are looking closely at the family of shapes called Geometric. Students drew each of the following geometric shapes: circle, triangle, square, rectangle, and oval. They drew each shape in three different sizes: large, medium, and small. Students also practiced coloring inside their shapes with solid colors, trying not to leave "peek-a-boo spots."

Fourth & Fifth Grade Abstract Designs

Fourth and Fifth grade students are finishing their sketchbook designs.  This lesson comes from Mona Brooks "Drawing with Children" book and she calls it "A Unique Drawing Experience." I adapted it with my own set of directions so that students could review the elements and principles of design, but the basic idea is that students listen to a set of directions and follow them.  The first direction I gave students was to draw four straight lines from one edge of your paper to another edge.  This is a great lesson because even if all students follow the same direction, all of the drawings are unique.  A great discussion to have at the beginning of our art year - how everyone draws differently!  When students are finished, we glue the design to a piece of construction paper, and it becomes the cover of our sketchbooks.

Third Grade Radial Designs

 Third Grade art students have worked so hard on their radial designs!  This is the current display in Zilker's main hallway.  Students created wonderful designs by arranging shapes, lines, and colors to create a special kind of balance: radial balance.  We were reviewing the elements of design and using one of the principles, balance, to arrange them.  I am very proud of these outstanding artists!

Second Grade Pattern Animals

Second Grade artists are reviewing lines,shapes, and colors and how to arrange those three elements to create pattern, a principle of design.  Check out their great pattern animals that are in progress.

First Grade Lines

First Grade artists are creating line drawings.  We talked about all the different kinds of lines: straight, curved, zigzag, spiral, wavy, looping, dotted, broken, thick, and thin. We identified lines in the art room, and talked about where we could find lines outside or in our homes.  Then students started drawing all of the different lines to create some fabulous abstract line designs.